DESIGN CRITERIA
Festival of the Trees 2023 DESIGN STATEMENT:
With a legacy of 35 years, the Festival of Trees is an annual fundraising event for FIU’s Interior Architecture students and programs. Each year, Festival of the Trees sponsors underwrite designers who design and build their unique holiday creations and donate the art pieces to the fundraising event. The “trees” are set on display at the gala opening and at the end of the evening the attendees are provided with the opportunity to make a donation to obtain and claim a beautiful holiday tree with them. The theme for this year’s tree is “The Future of Space.” With the launch of James Webb Space Telescope that can peer into the deepest depths of the cosmos, and initiatives from companies such as SpaceX that have accelerated space transportation, how do we as designers envision the future of space? For FOT 2023, designers are challenged to create trees that inspire our imagination of space exploration, our dreams of future space habitats and ultimately, define our existential place in the universe.
SIGNAGE / LOCATION / ELECTRICITY
The Festival of the Trees Committee will provide a sign with the Designer/Sponsor credits. No advertising will be permitted as part of the display. The location of your tree is at the discretion of the Festival Committee who will strategically display all the submissions on pedestals in the gallery setting. Note: If you need electricity for your tree, advise a month prior.
SIZE
The submission dimensions should not exceed 24” x 24”. The height should be determined by stability and practicality. Your design must be able to stand on top of an 18” square x 42” High pedestal. The weight should not exceed 80lbs, and should be able to be moved easily by two people. ADEQUATE PACKAGING MATERIAL MUST BE INCLUDED so that your tree can be transported easily and safely that same evening. Proper packaging should include bubble wrap and a box for safe transportation. All trees must be displayed on the pedestal provided. The pedestal provided is NOT to be altered or covered. Please don’t include LIVE ANIMALS in your tree submission.
SIGNAGE / LOCATION / ELECTRICITY
All attendees will have the opportunity to make a donation and take a tree home on a first-come-first-serve basis. Since the event is a fundraising event for FIU Interior Architecture students and programs, there will be a suggested donation of a minimum of $200 per tree. The unclaimed trees will be donated to the Angels Reach Foundation that same evening (www.angelsreach.org), which is a non-profit organization with the mission of revolutionizing the education sector by understanding genomic coding to identify its roles in cognitive barriers and learning disabilities. All trees must be removed at the end of the evening.
AWARD CATEGORIES
MOST ELEGANT
MOST COLORFUL
MOST SUSTAINABLE
MOST CREATIVE
MOST ILLUMINATING
MOST PROGRESSIVE
MOST WHIMSICAL
MOST THEMATIC
MOST ANIMAT
HONORABLE MENTIONS
PEOPLE’S CHOICE
*All entries must be an original design and concept. If any entry is not original or does not follow the criteria, the tree will be disqualified from all awards. The Festival of the Trees is not responsible for any lost, late, or damaged entries. Upon the “tree” drop off at the venue, the “tree” will become FIU property.
CONTACT INFOMATION
Rocio Rico Gutierrez
Co-Chair of Festival of the Trees Event
Jissette Jimenez
Co-Chair of Festival of the Trees Event