SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Happy Holidays from the Everson Museum!
The art museum is kicking off the holiday season with the Festival of Trees and Light. Now in its 38th year, the festival covers the Everson from head to toe with Christmas trees.
Each floor of the museum has Christmas trees of all shapes, sizes and colors. One bright pink tree takes inspiration from flamingos. Another tree bent over sideways looks like it’s straight from a Dr. Seuss book. Wreaths, shovels, and other Christmas decorations also deck the halls of the museum.
Liz Herrick and Patty Miller have both served as president of the Everson’s Members’ Council, the volunteer organization that planned the festival. Herrick says volunteers love helping out at the event because it brings out so much joy.
“It’s a great way for people to give of themselves during the holiday,” Herrick says. “Then they walk away with a good feeling.”
The festival used to only focus on the trees, but Miller says the Members’ Council soon realized the strands of Christmas lights were just as important. The festival has evolved into something that represents what light means. To Miller, it’s a way for communities to get through the darker, colder months of winter together. The Everson provides the perfect spot to do so.
“This is the perfect place for something like this, and for the community to come together,” Miller says. “Light comes in all different ways and directions. It’s unexpected. Sometimes goodness shows up when we’re not expecting it.”
The Festival of Trees and Light opens to the public on Dec. 2. You can visit the trees until Dec. 16.
Taylor Mascetta: Happy Holidays from the Everson Museum! The art gallery is kicking off the month of December with the Festival of Trees and Light. Right now, the Everson is covered head to toe with Christmas trees. One’s inspired by flamingos, another looks like it’s straight from a Dr. Seuss book. Wreaths and shovels also deck the halls of the museum. The trees are all up for sale, with their profits going towards a variety of fundraisers. Liz Herrick and Patty Miller have both served as president of the Everson’s Members’ Council, the volunteer organization that planned the festival. Herrick says volunteers love helping out at the event.
Liz Herrick: It’s a great way for people to give of themselves during the holiday, then walk away with a good feeling.
Taylor Mascetta: The festival doesn’t solely focus on the Christmas trees themselves, but on their lights. The Everson Museum hopes to brighten up the holiday season with the event. Miller says the event started as the festival of just trees, but soon evolved into what light represents. To Miller, it’s a way for communities to get through the darker, colder months of winter together.
Patty Miller: This is the perfect place for something like this, and for the community to come together. Light comes in all different ways and directions. Unexpected. Sometimes goodness shows up, and we’re not expecting it.
Taylor Mascetta: The Festival of Trees and Light opens to the public on December 2. You can visit the trees until December 16. At the Everson Museum, I’m Taylor Mascetta, N-C-C News.
