Highlights of the UW Art Museum's annual Festival of Trees and Happy Holidays, Laramie! include -- musical performances by school and community groups; the Albany County Student Art Exhibition; holiday activities in the Shelton Studio; a visit with Santa Claus; a silent auction for specially-decorated trees and other holiday items.
The Festival of Trees Silent Auction features 30 decorated artificial and live trees. Auction will begin Thursday, Nov. 29, from 6-8 p.m. and continue Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The auction ends at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 1; bidders do not need to be present to win. Among the trees on display are the Governor’s tree, The Wyoming Quarter: A Holiday Celebration, and the UW President’s tree, A Holiday for the Birds. Other trees include those by several
Laramie Girl Scout Chapters, university student groups, community service groups, businesses, and individuals. Decorations and time to participate in the Festival of Trees are donated; proceeds benefit the Art Museum’s programs.
“We have a number of great performances scheduled for the lighting of the trees reception on Thursday and throughout the celebration on Saturday,” said Wendy Bredehoft, education curator. “And, youngsters will be able to participate in a variety of artmaking activities in the Shelton Studio during Happy Holidays, Laramie!”
In addition to the performances and artwork on display, a Kid’s Store will offer gifts for under $5 and gift wrapping activities. “It’s fun to have the kids wrap their own presents,” said Rosie Chapp, manager of the Museum Store.
Happy Holidays, Laramie! takes place from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1. The exhibition will feature nearly 1,000 original works of art by Albany County students, which will be on view through December 22. The event is free and open to the public.
Happy Holidays, Laramie is sponsored by First Interstate Bank and funded in part by June Allen, Public Accountant; American National Bank; Duane Toro Real Estate; First National Bank; Holland Cleaners; and UniWyo Federal Credit Union.
Bringing the world of art to Wyoming, the Art Museum is located in the Centennial Complex at 22nd & Willett Drive in Laramie. Hours for the Museum and Museum Store are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Admission is free. For more information, please call the Art Museum at 307-766-6622 or visit http://www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum.
