Holiday ‘Gingerbread Adventures’ await at OMSI

Here’s what happens when bakers, architects, designers, and construction firms work together to build towering sculptures …

Just hours before “Gingerbread Adventures” opens at OMSI, bakers, engineers and builders rush to complete their completely edible sculptures.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

From now through New Year’s Day, visitors to the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI) will be marveling at the science behind a favorite Holiday pastime – the building of gingerbread “houses”. They call it “Gingerbread Adventures”.

While the seven different tableaux on display each feature tasty and aromatic feats of engineering, they wouldn’t make the ideal dessert – because, for increased strength and to discourage insects and bugs, the gingerbread slabs baked for these projects contain no sugar.

Here looking at the “Gingerbread Adventures” creation called “Ain’t No Party Like An Afterlife Party”, made by the team of LEVER Architecture and Pix Patisserie, we found OMSI Events Manager Melony Beaird.

“In this, our third year, we asked the teams to use an Egyptian theme, reflecting our current King Tut exhibition,” OMSI Events Manager Melony Beaird remarked, as the pastry chefs were putting finishing touches on their creations, back in mid-November.

“In addition to viewing these gingerbread creations, visitors to OMSI will find kids’ activities – like learning how to create a cartouche, learning about hieroglyphs, filling in gingerbread coloring sheets, learning how to design your own Egyptian scene, and how to make origami,” Beaird told East Portland News.

Seen admiring the pyramid trap in their entry “A Game of Cat & Mouse-oleum”, are Russell Kofford, Tim Allred, and Rachel Ciula, representing the team of WKR Engineers, Ankrom Moisan Architects and Delice Confections.

“So, you can see how this helps OMSI fulfill our mission: Highlighting architecture, food science, and other artistic and fun ways the children can learn – using food!” explained Beaird. “This display and its activities are included with guests’ general admission; and OMSI is open late, until 7 p.m., through the Christmas Holidays.”

The teams are competing for the “Gingerbread Adventures” People’s Choice Awards; so OMSI guests are encouraged to see them and vote before the exhibit closes on January 1.

Team members from Lewallen Architecture and New Seasons Market, Matt Rodger and Molly McGowan, make sure Santa’s sleigh will keep flying during the gingerbread exhibit till New Year’s.

To learn more, get the address and even buy tickets online, see the OMSI website: CLICK HERE.

>> On our Front Page: Mira Boumatar makes sure the “merry mummy” will appear, like magic, in the “Under Wraps” tableau built by LRS Architects and Love Bites by Carnie.

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