Festive fundraiser

An exhibition of Christmas trees at the Naracoorte Regional Art Gallery will launch the festive season this year and help the community get in the mood!

Entries are being sought from groups, businesses, individuals and charities for trees which are handmade, upcycled and arty.

They can then be included in an auction on opening night to raise funds for the entrants or to donate funds to the gallery.

Opening night will be a real party with the Naracoorte Singers providing some Christmas carols, Father Christmas and a photographer in attendance and bubbles to toast the season.

Cr Tom Dennis will act as auctioneer for the Christmas tree auction and the winning bidders can collect their trees on December 15 and 16.

The gallery will accept artificial trees with handmade decorations but no live trees. The tree can be freestanding or a wall hanging. Freestanding trees are to be no bigger than 2 metres high by 2 metres wide.

If a group does not wish to sell their tree, a small entry fee will apply as all trees go in the People’s Choice sponsored, popular vote contest which has cash prizes.

The gallery is offering a great opportunity for a group to fundraise by entering a tree in the exhibition. Not only can they earn the proceeds if the tree is auctioned but they may be successful in the popular vote contest to add to the fundraising effort.

It is time to get those committees and groups thinking about an entry – could it be created with something recycled, maybe metal or wood, be a patchwork wall hanging or use an artificial tree with hand embroidered decorations? Some groups are already at work and have been sourcing bright ideas from the internet.

Grab your entry form from the Gallery via email, or pop in and see our volunteers!

Entry forms to be submitted by November 15 and Opening Night is November 27 at 6pm. The exhibition will be open until December 15.