Festival Of Trees Continues To Support Art In Syracuse

NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF CHRISTMAS TREE YOU LIKE THE MOST- THE EVERSON MUSEUM OF ART HAS IT ALL… EVERY TREE IS DONATED BY COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND AVAILABLE FOR PURCHASE..
THE FESTIVAL OF TREES IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FUNDRAISERS FOR THE MUSEUM AS THE PROFITS MADE FROM JUST THIS ONE WEEK WILL HELP FUND ART INITIATIVES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR THE MUSEUM FOR NEXT YEAR. SO THE FESTIVAL OF TREES REALLY TIES EVERYTHING TOGETHER FOR THE MUSEUM, JUST LIKE A RIBBON ON TOP OF A CHRISTMAS TREE…

“So one of the things that’s really great about the festival of trees is that it gets people in the museum who might not come other times throughout the year. But we want to do is make this kind of like a gateway to the everson.”

ABOUT EIGHTY-THOUSAND PEOPLE VISIT THE EVERSON EVERY YEAR… FIVE-THOUSAND OF THOSE VISITORS WILL COME THROUGH THE DOORS DURING THE TEN DAYS OF THE FESTIVAL… NOW IT’S BEEN A ROCKY FEW YEARS FOR THE EVERSON – THE DOORS ALMOST CLOSED PERMANTELY JUST A FEW YEARS AGO – BUT A CORNER WAS DEFINITELY TURNED IN 2018 AS THE MUSEUM CELEBRATED IT’S 50TH ANIVERSARY AND SAW IT’S LARGEST DONATION EVER RECEIVED…

“What I hope the festival does is brings people into the museum who might not come otherwise and then they see this is a place where they’re welcomed. From yoga class, to adult art classes, youth art classes, we have a new teen council that does teen programs, there’s really just something for everyone here at the everson all year round.”

THE FESTIVAL IS OPEN DURING MUSEUM HOURS UNTIL DECEMBER 9TH… REPORTING IN SYRACUSE, I’M REBEKAH CASTOR, N-C-C NEWS..

By Rebekah Castor (Syracuse, N.Y.) — One of Central New York’s most treasured events kicks off again on Friday. The annual Festival of Trees at the Everson Museum of Art has lit up Syracuse for the past 30 years, but the exhibit is more than just beautiful holiday decorations. The proceeds from this fundraiser help fund art initiatives and activities at the museum year-round.

“The Everson serves about 80,000 guests per year and about 5,000 of those guests will come in during the festival,” Lauren Chyle, the Museum’s Assistant Director said. “It’s definitely a heightened visitation time, but we hope this festival will be a gateway to other activities at the museum.”

It’s been a rocky few years for the Everson. In 2014, the museum almost closed its doors permanently after nearly going bankrupt. Instead, the museum cancelled several shows to save money. Earlier this year, the museum celebrated its 50th anniversary and received it’s largest donation ever received, of nearly $5 million.

“What I hope the festival does is help people realize what they’re missing at the Everson,” Chyle said. “It truly is a place for everyone. From yoga classes, to adult art classes, to youth art classes, to a new teen program, there’s something for everyone here all year round.”

The festival is open during museum hours from November 30th to December 9th. Entry is $5 for museum members and $8 for non-members. For a full list of events at the Everson Museum, you can visit https://www.everson.org/connect