For decades, there has been a Capitol Christmas Tree on the West Front lawn of the White House. A tradition begun in 1964, taking the tree from a national forest was not done until 1970. Before that, a live Douglas fir was used, until the tree’s death in 1968 made it necessary to begin assembling large trees out of two smaller ones placed together. Now, every year, a state is chosen to supply the year’s Christmas tree from one of their beautiful, pristine National Forests.
Another tradition surrounding the Capitol Christmas Tree is to have residents of the state supply ornaments that embody a particular theme. This year, the theme is “California Shines,” and California artists, children and adults, are asked to create over five thousand gorgeous, well-crafted ornaments that demonstrate the things that make California unique. These will be used to decorate the tree, as well as several thousand other, smaller ornaments that will adorn trees in offices throughout Washington, D.C. A single California child will also be selected to light the tree during the annual tree lighting ceremony, flipping the switch to turn on the over ten thousand tiny Christmas lights adorning its branches.
The Capitol Christmas Tree festivities need more than a tree, ornaments, and someone to light the tree, however. Another tradition is for a state’s artists to create a representation of their tree and their state’s theme, to be displayed alongside the tree and eventually go on permanent display in a gallery housing artwork representing all of the past year’s chosen artists. Any California artist may enter, and awards will be given in the following categories: “California Shines,” “Viewer’s Choice,” and “Holiday Cards.” “California Shines” will be awarded by jury, and will tour California with the tree, make the trip across-country to the tree lighting ceremony, and go on permanent display. “Viewers Choice” will be chosen by the public to tour California with the “California Shines” winner and the tree, and receive a special mention during the lighting ceremony. The winners of “Holiday Cards” will have their artworks printed as note or greeting cards, to raise money to fund this project.
The artwork itself can be in a variety of media. Acrylic or oil paint, metalwork, stained glass, textiles, photography, or watercolors are all acceptable. All submissions must be received with the requisite application form by August 1st, 2011, whether sent as a digital image by e-mail or as a CD via the postal service. Digital images should be saved as ArtistsLastName_FirstName_Title.jpg or .jpeg, and mailed to the Oct2011 e-mail found on the Capitol Christmas Tree art competition website. Artists who prefer to do so may mail a CD containing their artwork to Christmas Tree Art, Stanislaus National Forest, 19777 Greenley Road, Sonora, CA 95730.The original works of art should be approximately 20-30 inches wide and 25-35 inches high. Digital files should be high-quality scans or photographs of the original image, and approximately 4 inches by 6 inches in size with a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.
All California artists are encouraged to enter the competition. The tree, the ornaments, the lighting ceremony, and the artwork will all be used to show all of America exactly why California is such a special place to live, and artists who are chosen will receive a special place in Capitol Christmas Tree history.
Every year since 1970, a Christmas tree has
been presented to the United States Congress
from a National Forest and is known as “The People’s
Tree.” This year the tree will be a gift from California.
In honor of this occasion, the Stanislaus National Forest will host a statewide,
juried art exhibition to select an official artwork to represent the 2011 Capitol
Christmas Tree (CCT).
Traditionally, the official CCT artwork is presented to the Chief of the Forest Service
and will hang in their office for one year. The artwork will ultimately be exhibited in “The
Tree Gallery” adjacent to the Chief of the Forest Service’s office in the Yates Building, as par
of the national permanent collection featuring previous CCT winners.
Click here to download the Juried Art Exhibition Entry Form.
Theme
“California Shines” Artists are encouraged to consider the theme to conceptualize the vision of a 60 foot tall California Christmas Tree destined for the Nation’s Capitol.
Eligibility
Open to all California artists, at least 18 years of age.
Any medium may be used (including but not limited to: acrylics, oil, watercolor, textile, metals, photography, and stained glass).
Finished artwork should be between 25-35 inches high by 20-30 inches wide.
Finished artwork may be framed or unframed, but must be designed to hang on a wall.
One time use: The winning artist must agree to convey to the U.S. Forest Service the right to reproduce the image in a one-time printing to be sold to fund this program.
Click here to download the Juried Art Exhibition Entry Form.
Received By Deadline: August 1, 2011
Submit high quality digital image of artwork: jpg format/4×6 inches minimum/300dpi
Image file name: LastName_FirstName_Title.jpg
Digital image and entry form may be emailed to:
CCT2011 e-mail on the site
Subject heading should read: “Christmas Tree Art”
-or-
CD with image and entry form may be mailed to:
Christmas Tree Art
Stanislaus National Forest
19777 Greenley Road, Sonora, CA 95370
Process
A panel of jurors will review submissions and select artwork for the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. Exhibited artworks will be eligible for the following:
Awards:
- “California Shines” award by the jury panel. The official Capitol Christmas Tree artwork will be displayed throughout California, traveling with the Christmas tree on route to Washington, D.C. Artwork will hang in the Office of the Chief of the Forest Service for one year and ultimately become part of the permanent collection at “The Tree Gallery” in Washington, D.C. The winning artist will be honored at Capitol Christmas Tree festivities in California during the month of December, and at the Forest Service Chief’s Reception in Washington, D.C. prior to the tree lighting the same month.
- “Viewers’ Choice.” Viewers will be invited to vote in person or online for their favorite artwork on display. Artwork will be displayed throughout California alongside the Capitol Christmas tree. The winning artist will be honored at Capitol Christmas Tree festivities in California during the month of November.
- “Holiday Greeting Cards.” A selection of artworks will be reproduced on note or holiday cards and sold to raise funds for the project. Information about the artist will be printed on the back of the cards.
- The selected artwork will be reproduced to create a calendar. Information about the artists will be printed on the calendar.
For more information email us at [email protected], or call Shandy Bearden at (209) 532-3671 ext. 232.
More - http://CapitolChristmasTree2011.org
