ROCKLAND — This past month, Rockland’s Archipelago has been featuring unique art and Rockland’s Farnsworth has styled the pfefferkuchenhaus: The Ginger Bread House.

Rockland’s Archipelago, Fine Arts Gallery feathered artist Kendra Denny, of Camden, early in December. Denny uses a technique call “encaustics,” which is applying layers of pigmented wax, usually beeswax and Damar resin, to a surface to get the desired end product.

“Ancient Greeks used it to seal and decorate ships,” said Denny. That was in the 5th Century B.C.

A resident of Maine for 25 years, Denny graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in art. 

“I was a sculpture major which is why I like encaustics, because of its textural quality," she said. "I tried oils and there were things I wanted to do, but couldn’t. The wax gives it texture as you build up the layers.”

Denny puts her art on wood.

“It’s rigid more than anything else. You need a ridged surface to work on. You could put it on canvas, but if it sags there’s a chance the wax could crack.” Denny’s show runs through March 2013.

You would think that a Gingerbread House would be just that. We of the cultured world can conjure up any of 10 images in our mind when someone mentions the word. Rockland’s Farnsworth Art Museum hosted a gingerbread house decorating Workshop for children on Dec. 8 at its Gamble Education Center.

What’s in a name any way? Remember those Grimm Brothers who gave us fairy tales we all delighted in listening to and reading.

Turns out the witch in Hansel and Gretel had more of an effect on those decorated houses than we thought. The witches’ name was Frau Pfefferkuchenhaus. Pfefferkuchenhaus is the German name for "gingerbread house.”

Her house was made of cakes and candies which Hansel and Gretel begin to eat just before the cannibalistic witch appears and takes them in. We all know the story from there.

So, to make a long story longer, it was that fairy tale that began the tradition of making and decorating houses out of gingerbread, but do your research if you think now might be the time to try and create your own unique, architectural Christmas wonder. Make sure you use construction grade gingerbread. Yes, it exists. Remember, a house is only as good as its foundation.

The Gingerbread workshop held by the Farnsworth is part of their “Share the Wonder Celebration,” held each year at the museum.

“This is our fourth year,” said Farnsworth Special Events Manager Niki Dabrio-Janczura, of Thomaston. “We sell out both sessions every year. It’s one of our most popular children’s programs.”

Each workshop hosts 50 children and their elf helper parents. Sweet Sensations of Rockport supplies the houses. Owner Steve Watts said he takes 100 houses to the event along with gingerbread men and 75 pounds of frosting.