GREENFIELD — When Carol Barrett and Hancock County Arts came up with the idea for a festival of trees last summer, they had no idea that the slowly reopening Greenfield community would be plunged back into more major social distancing. So, like much in the age of COVID, the idea of a gallery full of trees to wander through morphed into a virtual display online at the group’s Facebook page.
Now through Christmas, visitors to the Hancock County Arts Facebook page can wander through a virtual Christmas tree forest to ooh and aah at a cornucopia of trees in all shapes and sizes with a variety of themes.
Back in November, Barrett, Chairperson of the Gallery, invited businesses and organizations to sponsor trees for an entry fee of $10. Last week, the trees came in from artist Abigail Apodaca, Greenfield-Hancock Animal Management, the Gilded Nest, Leo’s Market and Eatery, the James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home and Museum, KidsPlay children’s theatre, The Landing and Love INC.
The videos of the trees are posted on the Hancock County Arts Facebook page, and visitors to the site are invited to vote for their favorite by clicking “like” under the photo of the tree.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]
The literary-themed tree from the James Whitcomb Riley Boyhood Home and Museum features a paperchain garland made from the pages of old books and books at its based folded to look like Christmas trees. And in case you weren’t sure which tree you were looking at, this one is adorned with Riley’s signature top hat instead of a star.
The Hancock County Arts tree is the one with the big red ribbon at the top. It was decorated with handmade ornaments made by Hancock County Arts artists.
Artist Abigail Apodaca decorated her own tree in representation of her studio, Doodles in Color. Decorated in a theme of gold and silver, Apodaca’s tree is also part of the gallery’s online auction, benefiting programs for the group.
You can’t miss the tree from Leo’s Market and Eatery thanks to the large lighted and inflatable lion next to it. The tree is wrapped in red and blue plaid garland with little Leo the Lion ornaments all over it.
The tree from The Landing, near the center of the gallery, is an eye-catcher with its eclectic collection of red and white ornaments and Santa hat up on top. The tree’s theme of “Believe” is underscored by the numerous Santa Claus ornament on the flocked green treen.
KidsPlay’s tree, a last-minute addition to the grove of trees in the artists’ space, is adorned with props and playbills from past performances, a virtual eye-spy of theater memorabilia.
Greenfield-Hancock Animal Management’s tree comes with an opportunity to support the organization with needed donations. Items such as pet food, Lysol, wipes, sponges, copy paper, Sharpies, Post-Its and paper towels can be dropped in a box sitting in front of the gallery.
Voting for the People’s Choice award is open until midnight on Dec. 21, and the winner will receive a $50 gift certificate.
