Wyoming Arts Council

Capitol Christmas Tree Project Hosts State–wide Artist’s Competition

Uncategorized | May 20, 2010

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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, for the first time, the tree will be a gift from Wyoming.

In honor of this occasion, the Bridger‐Teton National Forest, Bobbi Brown Barrasso, and the Wyoming Arts Council will host a statewide, juried art exhibition to select an official artwork to represent the 2010 National 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 part of the national permanent collection featuring previous CCT winners.

The theme this year is, “Wyoming‐Forever West.” Artists are encouraged to consider the theme to conceptualize the vision of a 65+ foot tall Wyoming Christmas Tree destined for the Nation’s Capitol.

Eligibility and Guidelines
1. Open to all Wyoming artists, at least 18 years of age.
2. Any medium may be used (including but not limited to: acrylics, oil, watercolor, textile, metals, photography, stained glass, etc.).
3. Finished artwork should be between 25‐35 inches high by 20‐30 inches wide.
4. Finished artwork may be framed or unframed, but must be designed to hang on a wall.
5. 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.
6. Art work must meet guidelines or will not be considered.

How to Apply:
Deadline is Thursday, September 2, 2010. Artworks must be received by this date.
Submit a high quality digital image of artwork: jpg format /4×6 inches minimum/300dpi
Image file name: Last Name_First Name_Title.jpg
Digital image and entry form may be emailed to:
CapitolChristmasTree2010@gmail.com. Subject heading should read: “Christmas Tree Art”
‐or‐
CD with image and entry form may be mailed to:
Christmas Tree Art
PO Box 1888 Jackson, WY 83001

Review Process
A panel of jurors will review submissions and select artwork for the CCT. Exhibited artworks will be eligible for the following:
Awards of Distinction
“Wyoming-Forever West” selection will be displayed throughout Wyoming, traveling with the Christmas tree en 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. Artist will be honored at CCT festivities in Wyoming during the month of November.

“Viewers’ Choice.” Viewers will be invited to vote in person or online for their favorite artwork on display. Artwork will be displayed throughout Wyoming traveling alongside the Capitol Christmas tree. Artwork will hang in Wyoming’s State Capitol, becoming part of the State of Wyoming’s permanent collection.

“Holiday Greeting Cards.” Images of the top 10 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. Information about each artist will be printed on the back of the note cards, providing added recognition to the ten artists.

Along with the tree, 75-smaller trees will be provided for Congressional Offices, agencies & organizations headquartered throughout D.C., as well as 5000 handmade ornaments. The “Wyoming-Forever West” selection will be the official artistic impression for the project. It will also be displayed in Wyoming’s State Capitol.

FMI at http://www.capitolchristmastree2010.org/; e-mail CapitolChristmasTree2010@gmail.com; or call Kristi Wallin at 307-772-2451 to acknowledge your interest or if you have any questions.

Mary Cernicek mcernicek@fs.fed.us
U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree 2010 Coordinator

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