Wyoming Arts Council

UW Art Museum hosts annual holiday events Dec. 3-5


uw art museum tree festival

The Festival of Trees and silent auction will feature more than 30 trees and holiday items donated and decorated by student groups, civic organizations, local businesses and members of the community. (UW Art Museum Photo)

The University of Wyoming Art Museum will launch the holiday season with two free public celebrations, Festival of Trees and 23rd Annual Happy Holidays, Laramie! Thursday, Dec. 3-Saturday, Dec. 5.

“These events are our most joyful community celebration,” says Katie Christensen, curator of education and statewide engagement. “Participation in visual art, music and dance helps to develop creative thinking and innovation, communication skills and positive self-awareness in students. These festivities highlight the hard work of teachers and students from around Laramie, showcasing a variety of creative talents and artistic mediums and help to celebrate the season with friends and family.”

The Festival of Trees and silent auction will feature more than 30 trees and holiday items donated and decorated by student groups, civic organizations, local businesses and members of the community.

During the “Lighting of the Trees” reception Thursday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m., visitors can enjoy refreshments and music performances by Laramie student groups and the Presbyterian Bell Choir. Additionally, attendees can vote for the People’s Choice Award and place advance silent auction bids on their favorite tree.

The auction will take place Friday, Dec. 4, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and will end Saturday, Dec. 5, at 2:30 p.m. during Happy Holidays, Laramie! Bidders need not be present to win, and all proceeds benefit museum programs and children’s art classes.

Happy Holidays, Laramie! will take place Saturday, Dec. 5, from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. The event includes musical and dance performances. Children are invited to have their pictures taken with Santa Claus and to create ornaments, cards and other holiday decorations. The winner of the People’s Choice Award, as chosen by voters Thursday evening, will be announced.

Happy Holidays, Laramie! also celebrates the opening for the holiday exhibition of artwork by Albany County school children, which will be on view through Saturday, Dec. 19.

All events will take place at the UW Art Museum, located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 Willett Drive.

Happy Holidays, Laramie! and Festival of Trees are sponsored by UW Cultural Programs, Family Care Clinic, Warren Federal Credit Union, John McPherson DDS, UniWyo Federal Credit Union, American National Bank, First Interstate Bank, Ridley’s Family Market and McDonalds.

For more information about these events, contact Christensen at (307) 766-3496 or Katie.christensen@uwyo.edu.

Through its “Museum as Classroom” approach, the UW Art Museum places art at the center of learning for all ages. The museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Mondays from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission is free.

For more information, call the Art Museum at (307) 766-3477 or visit www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum. Follow the museum on Facebook and Instagram @UWartmuseum.


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