For immediate useNov. 17, 1997 -- No. 860

Ackland's `Holiday Express' to showcase miniature train depot

By CHRIS CANFIELD

Ackland Art Museum

CHAPEL HILL -- An exhibition of miniature Victorian buildings by Gordon Rutherford, at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill's Ackland Art Museum, will feature his new Victorian miniature train depot.

“Holiday Express,” from Nov. 22 through Jan. 11, also will include Rutherford's miniature houses, a holiday favorite at the Ackland. “People can relate to them -- it's a fantasy,” said Rutherford, who directs facilities planning and design at UNC-CH.

Accompanying the exhibit will be works from the Ackland's collection that deal with travel. A storytelling concert in the museum at 3 p.m. Dec. 14 will feature Waynesville native Donald Davis and stories of the mountains, travel and trains.

While being responsible for more than a half billion dollars worth of construction during nearly three decades at the university, Rutherford also has become a creator of miniature buildings.

This year's addition to his imaginary village, the train station, contains multiple platforms, inlaid floors, luggage, tiny soft drink bottles, a telegraph, a cracker barrel, old-fashioned candy containers, posters, signs and Victorian trim. Rutherford hand-laid the foundation using individual wooden “bricks.” Hand-crafted shingles cover virtually every other square inch of the depot.

The miniatures include no prefabricated parts. Rutherford prefers to place and glue each piece to ensure authenticity of process and natural-looking results.

Despite being miniatures, Rutherford's creations are impressive in size. At a scale of an inch to a foot, the model is nearly 6 feet long, 4 feet wide and 3 feet tall. It took nearly two years to complete.

The Ackland is on South Columbia Street near Franklin Street. Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday's, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Call the Ackland at (919) 966-5736 (museum office) or (919) 962-08379 (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf)

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Ackland contact: Chris Canfield, 966-5736

News Services contact: Laura J. Toler