Festival of Wreaths

Sedona AZ (October 7, 2011) – With the beautiful fall season heading our way, it is time to get out to the studio and start creating wreaths and tabletop trees for the upcoming Festival of the Wreaths which will open with its annual Preview Gala Event on Sunday, November 13th from 5-8pm.

The Festival of Wreaths welcomes artists and crafts persons throughout the community to participate in this fundraiser for the Friends of the Library. Each year, artists continue to create marvelous and truly original creations for this event. Many patrons in attendance at the Gala last year mentioned that they would like to see more all-season wreaths which could be displayed in their homes throughout the year.

There are some important guidelines for artists to consider when creating wreaths and tabletop trees for the Festival:

• Quantity – A maximum of TWO items per donor which can be any combination of wreaths or tabletop trees.
• All materials must be non-perishable.
• Wreaths must be constructed to be sturdy with everything securely fastened to withstand handling and hanging.
• Wreaths should incorporate a permanent sturdy wire on the back for proper hanging.
• Wreaths and tabletop trees can feature any theme or design.
• All Season Wreaths are highly encouraged.
• Fall themed wreaths are not recommended.

The delivery date for all contributions is Friday, November 11th from 10am to 4pm at the Sedona Public Library or from 1pm to 4pm at the VOC Branch of the Sedona Library located at Tequa Plaza Courtyard – Suite C102. Each contributor will receive one complimentary admission ticket to the Preview Gala Event as an expression of thanks from the Festival.

The Preview Gala Event and Sale will take place on Sunday, November 13th from 5pm to 8pm at the Sedona Public Library located on Dry Creek Road. The Gala Event ticket prices are $15.00 each or 2 for $25.00. This offers attendees the opportunity to purchase the creations of the Festival before they are available to the general public. At the Gala Event, the traditional raffle of exciting items donated by individual artists and businesses will be available. In addition, George Kelly Fine Jewelers will be donating another beautiful necklace with a limited number of tickets at $10.00 available for the auction.

True to its rich tradition, the Gala Event features an array of wine and appetizers that have been donated from local wineries and Sedona restaurants for attendees to enjoy. Frost & Frost will provide enchanting musical entertainment in the main area of the Library and Suzanne Moore will be playing the piano in the Community Room. Award winning, Andrea of Sedona Cake Couture will provide another spectacular cake for attendees to sample.

Last year, the introduction of the “Artist Invitational Ornaments” was a huge success and will continue this year. All of the invited artists start with the same 6” diameter ornament and let their imagination take flight in creating a small work of art for a silent auction. This year the Festival will feature ornaments made by Ken Rowe, Joanne Hiscox, Susan Kliewer as well as Taylor Hellmann, Gayle Taylor, Jack Morley and Zenna MacGregor and many others.

Once again the Festival of Wreaths will feature its popular “People’s Choice Awards” for the creations in the show. The categories for the Festival this year are:

• Best of Show
• Best Creative Use of Materials
• Best Christmas themed Wreath or Tabletop Tree
• Best Non-traditional Creation
• Best Ornament
• Best Table Top Tree

The sale of the remaining wreaths and tabletop trees to the general public begins Monday, November 14th during regular Library hours.

For additional information about the Festival of the Wreaths, please contact SanDee Kinnen at 928-203-4363.