Festival of Trees Goes Green at Berkshire Museum
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Museum is celebrating the holidays "green" styleat the 24th annual Festival of Trees from Nov. 15 through Jan. 4, 2009.
The eco-savvy and eco-fabulous enchanted forest of more than 200 trees are decorated with natural materials and reused, recycled, repurposed and reclaimed objects. The Earth-friendly decorations and designs, and inspired by innovative uses of sustainably-minded materials, include paper and plastic, recycled steel and bamboo. The Festival of Trees is sponsored by Legacy Banks Foundation.
More than 400 community businesses, groups, and individuals volunteer their time and donate resources to make the Festival of Trees possible. In addition to large trees decorated by local businesses, organizations, and volunteers, the Festival of Trees also features smaller trees decorated by area schoolchildren, Scout troops and other youth groups.
Tree themes this year include Recycling Santa, Vintage Recycling, Jolly with Green, Reusing the Unwanted, Pink is the New Green, Brown Bag Christmas, and Trash to Treasure. Proceeds from the Festival of Trees benefit educational programs at Berkshire Museum.
"Berkshire Museum's Festival of Trees is a holiday tradition in Western Massachusetts," said Stuart A. Chase, executive director of the Berkshire Museum. "This year's 'green' theme is particularly relevant as our society becomes increasingly aware of the importance of sustainability on a global level."
A special "Going Green” exhibition at Berkshire Museum during the Festival of Trees will take re-use to a whole new level. Galleries will feature displays related to the following themes: “Connecting Green – Community, Home and Garden,” “Living Green – Fashion, Beauty and Healthy Living,” “Becoming Green – Recycled and Repurposed,” and “Working Green.”
Featured artworks include Virginia Fleck's colorful, wall-sized mandalas made from discarded plastic bags; stylized purses and tote bags made from candy wrappers, plastic grocery bags and drink pouches by Cara Taylor; eco-friendly designs by Linda Kaye Moses, Jill Schwartz, Kaitlin Nash, and Crispina ffrench; a dress made from bamboo; and a sculpture by Gordon Chandler in the shape of a deer made from recycled metal. Energetic visitors may also hop on Pedal-A-Watt bicycles to power the lighting on several trees. A selection of eco-friendly objects from Berkshire Museum’s Oceanic Collection will also be on view.
The Berkshire Museum Shop will offer a selection of artful gifts for green giving during the holidays, including ornaments, accessories, shopping bags, and soft wallets made from stainless-steel thread. The shop is known for its wide selection of cards, books, jewelry, toys, and games for all ages and price ranges. There is now a special section devoted to children.
During Festival of Trees, the museum is open Monday through Saturday, 10 to 5, and Sunday from noon to 5. The galleries are closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, and hours end at 2 p.m. on Dec. 24 and Dec. 31. Admission is $10 for adults, $5 for children ages 3 to 18. ($5/$3 for museum members). Children under 3 are admitted free. With advance booking, special group rates of $7 per person for parties of 10 or more people are available. Group reservations are required and may be made by calling 413-443-7171, Ext. 20.
Admission includes all galleries, in addition to the Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation, new in 2008. Berkshire Museum is located at 39 South St. on Route 7.
For more information: 413-443-7171, Ext. 10, or visit www.berkshiremuseum.org.
