Nov 26, 2022
Parkersburg resident Virginia Killian discussed the tree she decorated for the Art Center’s Artist Trees display in the style of artist Dorothy Eugenie Brett on Friday. The annual display, featuring 18 trees based on the works of 17 artists, is open through Dec. 22. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
PARKERSBURG — This is the weekend many people may put up their Christmas trees, but 18 are already decorated and lit at the Parkersburg Art Center.
The annual Artist Trees display opened Saturday, with trees designed by local people in the style of a variety of artists.
Parkersburg resident Virginia Killian, a local artist, put together one tree as a tribute to Dorothy Eugenia Brett’s “Taos Indians” painting, wrapping it in a banner illustrated with painted horses.
“I love the painting because of the exuberance of the movement … and the exuberance of the horses,” said Killian, who added in a few details of her own, including her dog and a mountain lion.
Another tree features flickering lights that create the impression of flames on the wall beside it. Instead of presents, there’s a gas can sitting beneath it. Designed by Jared Wittekind of the Marietta Makerspace, it’s an homage to English artist Damien Hirst’s “The Currency,” an artistic experiment in which collectors could choose a physical, dot-painted piece or a digital NFT of it. Whichever they didn’t choose would be destroyed.
The Parkersburg Art Center’s annual Artist Trees display opened Saturday. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
People who donate $5 using a QR code affixed to the tree can be entered in a drawing to win a signed print of the tree or an NFT of the print. Whichever they don’t choose will be destroyed and the tree burned.
There are 16 more colorful trees for attendees to take in during regular Art Center hours through Dec. 22, designed by students and adults. People can drop donations into receptacles at each tree, with the entry raising the most money earning the People’s Choice Award.
“Whoever raises the most money for Art Center programs is the winner, and they get absolute bragging rights,” said Jessie Seifert, managing and education director for the PAC.
The Art Center has played host to the event for about 20 years. Organizers keep a list of which artists’ work has served as inspiration each year to try to ensure variety.
“We’re taking a break on Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’ trees this year,” Seifert said with a laugh.
This tree was designed by Jared Wittekind of the Marietta Makerspace and based on artist Damien Hirst’s NFT-versus-physical-art project, “The Currency.” Donors can enter a drawing to win either a print or NFT of the tree. Whichever they don’t choose will be destroyed and the tree will be burned. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
It’s an opportunity for members of the community to get involved in making art, she said.
“It’s also a great art history lesson when you come and do the tree tour because you’re introduced to artists you might not know,” Seifert said.
The opening of the exhibit was slated for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday in conjunction with vendors setting up for the Holiday Artist Market and Small Business Saturday.
Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.
This is one of two trees in the Parkersburg Art Center’s Artist Tree display designed by Criss Elementary School kindergarteners based on the style of artist Keith Haring. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
This entry in the Parkersburg Art Center’s Artist Tree display was designed by Caroline Eels and Chuck Swaney based on the art of Georgia O’Keefe. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Characters from illustrator Mo Willems’ Pigeon books are featured on this tree designed by the Parkersburg Art Center’s ArtStart classes of 2022-23. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
Kate Hushion and the Parkersburg Art Center’s ArtCart instructors designed this Artist Tree entry based on the work of Native American painter Emmi Whitehorse. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
A blue tree features decorations based on artist Wayne Thiebaud’s paintings of cakes, pies and candies as part of the Parkersburg Art Center’s Artist Tree display. (Photo by Evan Bevins)
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