"Souful Santa" opens at museum

Maggie Martin/The Times

Dr. Daryl Mitchell’s "Soulful Santa" collection began 14 years ago.

It all started when son Scott, now 19, came in and saw him with a pair of black papier mache Santa Clauses.

Scott was very upset.

"He said, "Santa Claus is not black. He is white,’" recalled Mitchell.

"He was very upset," added Mitchell.

Even as his father tried to explain to him that Santa was a symbol, that he can be any color, Scott said, "No. No. No."

So, Mitchell went about righting the misconception.

Today he has 500 pieces in his collection of ornaments, figurines, wall hangings, animated objects, Christmas trees and stocking hangers. (Where in the world does he store all this?)

An exhibit of the collection opened Thursday at Southern Univeristy Museum-Metro Center, 610 Texas St., with a reception presided over by museum chief Carolyn Coatney. It will be up through Dec. 21.

"This is the third time we have shown the collection," said Coatney. "We have more patrons when it is up than at any other time."

It is spectacular. And spectacularly displayed.

These Santas will delight people of all ages. They dance, swim, fish, ride, rock, snooze, snow ski and water ski. There is even a telephone Santa that Mitchell is particularly proud of.

A giant blow-up Santa greets you at the museum entrance.

With Mitchell at the opening was son Scott who started it all, son Jordan and wife Yvonne. (They are, in the photo above: Scott, Jordan Yvonne and Daryl Mitchell.)

As part of the program, Mitchell read a poem dealing with whether or not there is a black Santa.

In it, the author "talks" to Santa, and finds that Santa is everywhere and makes himself available in all colors and sizes. He even visits homes without a chimney. He can fit himself in keyholes.

Why, after all, he is Santa to all of us.

To see more "Soulful Santa" opening photos go to http://www.shreveporttimes.com/ and check out the "Black Santa Claus Collection Opening."