Nativity display in Athens restored by Men’s Salvage Center, local art gallery

ATHENS, Texas (KETK) – An iconic Athens nursery is getting a major makeover.

The Lila Lane Outreach Center is currently working with the artists at Gallery 211 to bring the works to life.

Lila Lane Outreach is a life recovery center that helps men with difficult life experiences get their lives back on track.

Some of these men noticed that the nativity scene statues were in poor condition.

Now, they’ve teamed up with artists from Gallery 211 to completely renovate the rooms.

“It will really be a community effort,” said Virginia Reeder, director of gallery 211. “I have people who have responded that they would like to participate as well, although they are not internal artists.”

The men in the awareness program sanded, repaired and primed the parts for a new coat of paint. Then the pieces are delivered to the art gallery for an original hand-painted makeover.

In 2011, Henderson County received a complaint demanding the removal of the nursery.

This year, the restored pieces will be on display again for the whole community to enjoy this holiday season.