The story of Terry Campbell is not of pity but probity to art. The Canadian from Chilliwack in his dotage lost most of his eyesight in 2018 but the visual imparity isn’t refraining him from honing his art and following his passion. Campbell has been making Christmas miniatures villages since 2007, although it has not been short of challenging to him ever since he was declared legally blind.
Jenna Hauck of the Chilliwack Progress who met Campbell narrates, how he holds a magnifying glass up to his right eye to scrutinize the minute details on a sheet of paper. Campbell is actually trying to read the information written and also counting items that will be required to build a Christmas Village, this year.
What impresses me the most is his attention to detail while he is counting items required for building a decent village
Jenna Hauck
These miniatures are undoubtedly awe-inspiring but what makes Campbell’s Christmas village so special is the fact that it actually takes up the entire dining room instead of just one designated spot that most of us would prefer or have. Barring infirmity, the man has been collecting miniatures since 2007 and there is nothing stopping him to date.
From roads and walkways to a pet shop and from a chapel to an art gallery, Campbell’s Christmas village has it all. Full of hustle and bustle, and really appealing the village has many attractions but one cannot ignore the trees that he first bought in 2007, while out shopping with his wife.
Talking to Chilliwack Progress, Campbell recalls how his wife once expressed interest in Christmas displays. “She said ‘I really like those.’ And I thought ‘That’s good because you’re getting them for Christmas now.”
Ever since, he has been adding up material and building grand Christmas village displays that include a parade marching through the village, a train rolling around Santa’s lit-up amusement park, and then through a tunnel. In his miniature village, there are people who are ice skating and playing hockey while others are resting beside tiny campfires. And there is a lot of snow. A typical Canadian Christmas village to be precise!
Apart from houses and shops, he has also added a fire station, an outdoor stage, and the ‘KOLD’ radio station to his build. A lot of these things even light up and make sounds. “I do it because I love it and it’s so much fun,” tells Campbell
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Taking two to three months to set up, The Christmas miniatures display will be taken down after the holidays this year and will go back up again next year, informs Campbell.
The unprecedented efforts he puts in, despite the deformity, never go unnoticed as he has family, friends, and visitors to appreciate his brilliance during Christmas. Other than a story of grit and determination, it is a tale of a man who is true to his art. “I do it as much for the seniors as I do for the kids,” Campbell states.
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