Martha Rial, Post-Gazette photos
	One of several szopkas made by David Motak, instructor of the Cracow Creche Workshop. While living in Cracow for two years, he studied with masters of this centuries-old folk art form. MORE PHOTOS Click here for more pictures of szopkas and their builders.

In the Middle Ages, Polish artisans created elaborate puppet theaters called szopkas to stage morality plays. Today, tiny versions made by local residents will take center stage at a free holiday reception and exhibition at the University of Pittsburgh.

Artist David Motak led the Cracow Creche Workshop in which students ranging in age from 14 to 60 learned to make szopkas (pronounced SHOP-ka) from cardboard, foil paper and ribbon. Large or small, the ornate structures always reflect Cracow architecture, with a small niche for the nativity scene.

Mr. Motak studied the folk art form for two years while living in Cracow, the only place szopkas are still made. For six weeks, he met with students at Focus on Renewal's Sto-Rox Community Center in McKees Rocks. Then, about a dozen of them visited Cracow for an annual exhibition of creche masters' work.

Szopkas made by some of the Cracow masters will be displayed along with the students' work from 1 to 4 p.m. today in the lower lounge of the University of Pittsburgh's Sudent Union, 3959 Fifth Ave., Oakland. The workshop, exhibition and reception are sponsored by Polish Cultural Council. Information: 412-835-0539.

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	Martha Rial, Post-Gazette photos
	Christine Taylor of Highland Park works on a gold foil-covered onion dome at the Sto-Rox Community Center in McKees Rocks. She plans to give the szopka as a Christmas gift to her mother in Wisconsin.
	A niche holds the tiny figures of Jesus, Mary and Joseph on a szopka made by Joseph Borytsky of Fairchance.
	Dolores Bobiak of Glassport put in more than 80 hours working on her creation at the Cracow Creche Workshop.
	Detail of a Madonna and child in one of David Motak's szopkas
	Instructor David Motak helps Dolores Bobiak of Glassport glue her szopka together in the Cracow Creche Workshop at the Sto-Rox Community Center in McKees Rocks.

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Correction/Clarification: (Published Dec. 14, 2005) The Cracow Creche exhibition at the University of Pittsburgh was sponsored by the Polish Cultural Council. This story in Dec. 10, 2005 editions incorrectly named another organization as the sponsor.