Joyful Santa illustrations chosen for museum’s 2015 Vernon Grant card, ornament

Two jolly Santa Claus illustrations by Vernon Grant have been chosen for the annual Christmas card and ornament released through the Museum of York County.

The Vernon Grant limited-edition 2015 ornament, titled “Empty Pockets,” depicts a chuckling, joyful Santa holding out the pockets of his red suit. The image was a favorite of the Grant family, and the large original illustration hung in their home every Christmas until it was donated to the museum.

“Santa’s Little Buddy” is the title of this year’s Christmas card. It shows a happy Santa in his red suit holding a gnome. Museum officials said the image reflects the artist’s own fondness for the small characters.

Grant created “Santa’s Little Buddy” for his family’s Christmas card in 1969, and it became a favorite of his wife, Elizabeth. The museum first reproduced the image for the public in 1987 as an ornament.

Grant, a longtime Rock Hill resident and artist, is best known as the creator of the “Snap! Crackle! Pop!” gnome-like characters that have served as spokes-cartoons for Kellogg’s Rice Krispies since 1933. This year marks the 82nd anniversary of the trio.

The collectible, 24-karat gold-plated ornament and card were created from classic illustrations by the late Grant, who retired to Rock Hill in the 1940s. Grant created more than 100 holiday illustrations that have spanned two centuries, most depicting Santa enjoying life in different ways.

York County’s Culture and Heritage Museums have released an annual Grant-illustrated card for 37 years and an ornament for 29 years.

The ornament ($20) and card ($4) can be purchased at the gift shops of the Museum of York County, the Main Street Children’s Museum and Historic Brattonsville, and online at chmuseums.org.

In addition to the card and ornament, the Museum of York County is hosting “Wintertime,” a new exhibition that highlights Grant’s original and published winter-themed illustrations.

The exhibit runs through Feb. 14 in the Vernon Grant Gallery and features a variety of illustrations with skiers, ice skaters, snowmen and gnomes. Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and $3 for youth.

This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 1:30 AM with the headline "Joyful Santa illustrations chosen for museum’s 2015 Vernon Grant card, ornament."