Sixteen lucky North Mianus students stayed after school this week to get busy with frosting and candy to create gingerbread houses worthy of the auction block. The sweet little houses will be available through auction or purchase at the Junior League’s Enchanted Forest on Nov. 21-23.
North Mianus School assistant principal Jennifer Bencivengo is a longtime member of the Junior League of Greenwich and she came up with a sweet idea. Sixteen students signed up to create decorated gingerbread houses. Collaborating with the school’s art teachers, Liz Vazquez and Ferris Buddy, and chef Roland Kistler, sixteen lucky girls worked their magic with Skittles, sprinkles and all manner of licorice and frosting.
Improvising stove pipe chimneys, shingles, shutters and porch railings from gingerbread, frosting and candy they incorporated their art curriculum. Each of the four gingerbread houses boasted a theme based on an artist the 4th and 5th graders have studied.
The first was Georges Seurat who was known for paintings comprised entirely of tiny dots. The second artist worthy of a gingerbread house was Frida Kahlo. Painted cobalt blue, the museum that bears her name is located in her former home in Mexico City. Modern artist, Piet Mondrian was known for using only primary colors, and lastly Georgia O’Keefe whose name is associated with flowers got her own blooming house.
“I’m blessed to be a member of the Jr League. It gives me a different view of the community,” said Bencivengo who joined the Jr. League when she arrived in Greenwich 18 years ago. “These women are unsung heroes.”
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This year the Junior League of Greenwich is celebrating the 38th year of The Enchanted Forest. The event is held at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. This year’s theme, “Jingle All The Way” will ring in the holidays and have everyone excited!
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