Festival of the Trees to raise funds, spread holiday cheer Nov. 17

’Tis the season, and the Interior Architecture Department will kick off the festivities celebrating the silver anniversary of its Festival of the Trees.

The annual festival’s opening evening is scheduled to take place Thursday, Nov. 17, from 6:30-9:30 p.m., at the new Coral Gables Museum. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased by clicking here.

For the past 25 years, the festival has (unofficially) marked the start of the holiday and arts seasons in Miami. Its opening night and tree auction serve as a fundraiser for the in the College of Architecture + The Arts.

Net proceeds from the event go to fund scholarships, field trips, guest speakers, visiting designers and other educational enhancements in the Interior Architecture Department. The festival has raised more than $150,000 in the last five years.

“This year, we’re celebrating the enduring spirit of design as our theme,” said Janine King, chair of Interior Architecture. “Our supporters and underwriters are excited to see the festival has had an enduring presence for so long. They are proud to see that this is an event around which the Miami design community can come together.”

The Festival of the Trees showcases the creativity and ingenuity of the FIU students and alumni who collaborate with local, national and international designers to create beautiful representations of the season’s most iconic symbol: the tree.

“Proceeds from the festival help us create valued added education for our students,” said King. “Our opening night is a celebration and a reunion for our many alumni who attend the gala. We look forward to 25 more years of Festival of the Trees.”