Bucks resident’s intricate nativity scenes on display at Glencairn Museum through Jan. 6
By Samantha Bambino
The Times
Inside the quaint Doylestown home of lifelong resident Michael Stumpf, an incurable illness has taken over — Obsessive Christmas Disorder.
With its soft music and piney aromas, the space is everything one would expect from someone who lives and breathes the holiday season year round, creating elaborate and customized nativity scenes for clients nationwide.
This is the headquarters of Navidad Nativities, which Stumpf operates with his business partner, A.J. DiAntonio of Malvern, Chester County. Formed by Stumpf more than 20 years ago, his labor of love has received recognition from Country Living, Martha Stewart and even the Vatican.
Now, for the fourth consecutive year, several of his three-dimensional pieces are on display in Bryn Athyn at the Glencairn Museum’s World Nativities exhibition, which is open through Jan. 6. Guests have the chance to view the Bryn Athyn Nativity, inspired by the art and architecture of the nearby Bryn Athyn Cathedral; and the Renaissance Duomo Nativity and Conservatory Creche, both of which utilize experimental containers such as antique pharmacy cabinets and oversized jewelry boxes.
According to Stumpf, the work he and DiAntonio does is extremely unique to the United States. While they don’t build their own figures, purchasing them from wood carvers in Italy, the art of constructing intricate nativity scenes has always been viewed as a European tradition. So how did this American father, husband and former banker find himself in the industry?
It all started during one Christmas in the ’80s. His daughter, Jennifer, was a child at the time, and became distraught when the family’s nativity scene fell apart. Stumpf suggested the two build a new one together.
“The bug bit me,” he said. “We had fun doing it.”
With an initial interest sparked, Stumpf made regular trips to Cracker Box, which sold tiny figures imported from Germany. He would also collect large, flat rocks from the nearby stream, building miniature scenes on top and selling them on the teller counter of the bank he was employed at.
The following year, he and Jennifer upheld their newfound father-daughter tradition, this time building an even larger nativity using figures from the Italian company, Anri. At the time, Stumpf was president of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce, a role that often involved entertaining guests at his home. Their eyes were instantly drawn to the piece, and soon, Stumpf found himself receiving requests for smaller, custom nativities.
By the mid ’90s, Stumpf had left his 20-year career in the banking industry and started his own ad agency, all while retaining his ever-growing passion for nativities. With six detailed pieces under his belt, Stumpf mailed professional photographs to a handful of magazines to see if there was interest in printing them in a holiday issue. All six pictures appeared in Country Living, an opportunity that gave Stumpf an unprecedented amount of exposure.
“We ended up with about 1,800 phone calls,” he said. “So that told me that the market was out there.”
The next several years brought him a slew of offers, including chances to have his work featured at the Vatican for the 2000th anniversary of the birth of Christ, as well as on The Martha Stewart Show. Stumpf declined both.
“We have to be careful how much this business grows. It’s not about money. It’s about the passion and about doing the things that we love to do,” he said.
Four years ago, Stumpf ever so slightly expanded Navidad Nativities, naming DiAntonio as his business partner. The Hollywood producer of 10 years had recently returned from California, burned out and seeking solace in his Malvern home. The two met at an expo, instantly bonding over their shared obsession with Christmas and nativities, with DiAntonio boasting a collection of almost 400.
“What A.J. brings to the table is something called OCD. Obsessive Christmas Disorder. He knows he’s nuts. He’s passionate, he’s a renaissance guy. He’s my Energizer bunny,” Stumpf said. “I’ve said to A.J. on many occasions, ‘If it wasn’t for you, I’d be really retired.’”
Together, Stumpf and DiAntonio traveled throughout Europe, forming connections with everyone from the curatorial staff at the Bavarian National Museum to families of wood carvers.
“They were fascinated that someone in this country was doing what we were doing,” he said. “People create nativities all of the time. But no one’s doing the heirloom quality settings that A.J. and I do.”
Currently, Navidad Nativities sells nationwide, creating approximately 15 pieces a year in addition to custom commissions. For the latter, Stumpf and DiAntonio consult with each client. They’ll conduct architectural research, bring in hand-carved pieces from Europe, and add personalized details. For example, if a client is a writer, there may be books and binders included in the scene.
“It really makes it very personal, and people seem to love that,” he said.
Oftentimes, purchasing from Navidad Nativities becomes a family tradition, with couples returning years later to customize a piece for their newly married children. Others begin their scene with a few pieces and add more each holiday.
“These truly are something that gets passed on through generations. It creates a very cool and warm family tradition,” Stumpf said. “What a gift to be able to do this and have it resonate with people who really find meaning and motivation and peace in looking at what we do.”
Stumpf and DiAntonio’s work can be viewed at the Glencairn Museum, 0757 Cathedral Road, Bryn Athyn, through Jan. 6. Visit navidadnativities.com and glencairnmuseum.org for more information. ••
Samantha Bambino can be reached at [email protected]
