By Carrie Stetler
When the Rev. Alfonso Sherald was growing up, there were no African-American Santas in the Sears catalogue. Children couldn’t find them seated at department stores, waiting to hear the items on their Christmas list.
That had changed by the 1990s, when Sherald, pastor of the Bethel A.M.E. Church in Morristown, began collecting black angels, Santas and other decorations, amassing a trove of more than 400.
Each year, he displayed them in the parsonage, inviting friends and congregation members to enjoy them. “It was just a joy, something he did for a festive occasion,’’ remembers his sister, Geraldine Sherald, who lives in Queens.
Rev. Sherald died in 2010 at age 60, but his collection, one of the largest of its kind, has found a home this month at the East Orange City Hall, where many pieces are on display until Dec. 29, 2016.
Curated by West Orange artist Bisa Butler, the display, titled A Holiday Supreme, has a Motown theme, with the figures arranged besides classic albums by artists such as the The Supremes, Stevie Wonder and the Jackson Five.
“It’s so important for African-American adults and children to be able to see our own culture represented as a part of the larger ‘American’ culture,’’’ said Butler.
“Christmas is a very important holiday in the community and we often find ourselves left out of the mall and Fifth Avenue holiday displays. Reverend Sherald left a holiday treasure of inclusion for all to see.’’
According to Butler, the size and variety of Sherald’s collection is unique. “As I travel through the state checking out Christmas displays, I have yet to see such a large and creative collection of African-American figures,’’ she said.
“There are Santas dressed as firefighters, golfers. The angels in the collection are stunning and ethereal.’’
Art in the Atrium Inc., a Morristown-based organization devoted to promoting and exhibiting works by black artists, is a co-presenter of the display. Sherald was a board member of ATA. East Orange Mayor Lester E. Taylor III and the East Orange City Council are also presenting the display.
Said Mayor Taylor, “We are excited to partner with Art in the Atrium to bring alive the spirit of the season with this special holiday display. The Motown theme is a phenomenal concept that puts a new twist on classic holiday elements that perfectly match the heartbeat of our great city.”
Geraldine Sherald is glad that they can be shared with others during a time of year that brought so much happiness to her brother. “I’m thrilled that it’s being continued,’’ she said.
The decorations will be on view Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the City Hall gallery on the second floor of 44 City Hall Plaza, East Orange. For more information, call 973-265-5151. The exhibition is free.
