Jessica Liggett helps decorate the National Advisory Board tree that will be auctioned
during UW’s “Festival of Trees” Thursday, Dec. 5. (UW Art Museum)
Start the holiday season with tree auctions, music and refreshments during the 21st annual “Festival of Trees” and “Happy Holidays, Laramie!” celebrations Thursday, Dec. 5-Saturday, Dec. 7, at the University of Wyoming Art Museum. All events are free and open to the public.
The “Festival of Trees” and silent auction, scheduled from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, will feature more than 25 trees and holiday items decorated by members of the community. During the lighting of the trees, there will be music, refreshments and an opportunity to vote for the “People’s Choice Award” tree. Attendees also may place advance bids on their favorite tree in the silent auction.
The auction continues Friday, Dec. 6, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and ends on Saturday, Dec. 7, at 2:30 p.m. during “Happy Holidays, Laramie!” Bidders do not need to be present to win. All proceeds benefit museum programs and children’s art classes.
“Happy Holidays, Laramie!,” from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, features musical performances by school and community groups as well as refreshments and the announcement of the “People’s Choice Award” winner.
Children are invited to have their picture taken with Santa Claus and create ornaments, cards and other holiday decorations in the Shelton Studio.
“This event is our premier community celebration,” says Wendy Bredehoft, the museum’s education curator. “It is a time when entire families come together to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays and the creative talents of so many, which are exhibited in the student artwork, the musical performances and the decorated trees.”
First Interstate Bank, FMC Corporation, Donna Emery with Advantage Real Estate, UniWyo Federal Credit Union, Capital West Bank, Westfahl’s Piano Co. and McDonald’s sponsor the events.
For more information, call the Art Museum at (307) 766-6622 or visit www.uwyo.edu/artmuseum; or blog at www.uwyoartmuseum.org. Follow the museum on Facebook at www.facebook.com/uwyoartmuseum.
“Imagine learning from the masters” is a guiding principle of the UW Art Museum’s programs. Located in the Centennial Complex at 2111 Willett Drive in Laramie, the museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
