College of Architecture + The Arts presents annual Festival of the Trees exhibit, auction

The College of Architecture + The Arts (CARTA) is hosting the 29^th annual Festival of the Trees. This year’s theme is Design DNA: Differentiators, Nuances, Attributes and will feature work by some of the region’s premier design professionals. 

The eclectic exhibit of holiday trees will open with a gala reception at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 at the historic Moore Buildingat 191 NE 40th Street (between NE 2nd and NE 1st Avenues) in Miami’s Design District.
“This is one of the most anticipated and celebrated holiday traditions in Miami’s design and cultural community,” said CARTA Dean Brian Schriner. “The festival showcases our community’s preeminent designers while financially supporting our remarkably talented students’ education.”

Since its inception, the Festival of the Tress has featured work by some of the region’s premier design professionals in celebration of the holiday season’s shapes, colors, light and poetry. Each year the exhibit showcases the amazing creativity of the community by engaging top local, national and international designers in the design of spectacular holiday trees made from every imaginable material. Art lovers and supporters who attend the opening night reception will be able to bid on the artistic tree creations. In its history, the Festival of the Trees has raised more than $150,000.

The exhibit and opening night reception are coordinated by FIU’s Interior Architecture Advisory Board. As in past years, net proceeds from the Festival of the Trees will be used to support FIU’s Interior Architecture Department and help talented students pursue their arts education in CARTA. This year, the trees displayed at the annual event will subsequently be exhibited throughout Dadeland Mall for the duration of the holiday season.

Judges for this year’s exhibit include Kathryn Mikesell, co-founder of The Fountainhead Residency; Kalyn Chapman James, host of art loft; Nathalie Cadet-James, president and CEO of Luxe Fête Event Planning and Design Studio; and Bill Iverson, Miami art curator.

This year’s sponsors of the Festival of the Trees include KEYSGRANITE, Daltile, Bacardi, and Simon Malls. Tickets to the exhibit are $85 per person and a $700 group rate is currently available for 10-person group and can be purchased at www.festivalofthetrees.net.

Follow the Festival of the Trees on Facebook and Instagram (@festivalofthetrees).