Artist Trees of Elfkins - Prospectus

ARTIST TREES OF ELFKINS

A Community Holiday Art Exhibition at the Randolph County Community Arts Center

Create a Christmas tree. Make it art. Make it yours!

To celebrate the holiday season, the Randolph County Community Arts Center invites artists, student artists, local businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations to transform Christmas trees into original works of art.

Artist Trees of Elfkins celebrates the creativity, character, and community of Elkins and Randolph County through a playful holiday exhibition unlike anything we've done before. Instead of creating artwork for the wall, participants will create a themed Christmas tree installation. Your tree can be whimsical, beautiful, traditional, unexpected, humorous, Appalachian-inspired, handmade, sculptural, or anything else you can imagine.

PARTICIPATION This is an community participation exhibition, not a juried competition. No artistic judging is required for entry. The Arts Center will review submissions to ensure that proposed trees meet the exhibition's space, size, safety, and display requirements.

Space is limited to 12 trees. Holiday Artist Market participants will have an early registration opportunity before registration opens to the general public. Remaining spaces will then be available to other eligible participants on a first-come, approved basis.

Participants may enter one tree.

Eligible participants include:

  • Individual artists

  • Student artists

  • Local businesses

  • Nonprofit organizations

  • Community organizations or collaborative groups

THE ARTISTIC CONCEPT

Each tree should be an original creative installation developed by the participating artist, business, organization, or group. A theme or concept should be included with your registration. Your theme does not need to be complicated, but an artist statement required.

Example:
Tree Title: Woodland Critters
Concept: A collection of handmade watercolor-inspired woodland creature ornaments celebrating the forests of Randolph County.

Artistic interpretation of the theme is strongly encouraged!

The tree itself is part of the artwork. Participants are welcome to use a variety of handmade artistic media, including ceramics, fiber, paper, wood, painting, sculpture, mixed media, recycled materials, and more.

Original, handmade artwork should be the primary creative element of each tree. Commercially manufactured decorations may be used as supporting elements, but the tree should not simply be a collection of purchased decorations.

Businesses and organizations are welcome to incorporate their identity or mission into their tree, but the tree should be primarily a creative/artistic installation rather than an advertising display.

TREE REQUIREMENTS

Participants provide their own Christmas tree.

Maximum dimensions:

  • Height: 7 feet

  • Width/diameter: 3 feet

  • Smaller trees are welcome.

  • Skinny/pencil-style trees are encouraged because gallery space is limited.

All trees must be stable and appropriate for indoor public display.

Please do not use:

  • Glass ornaments or glass components

  • Open flames or candles

  • Perishable food

  • Materials that create a safety hazard

  • Materials that may damage the Arts Center's building or floors

The Arts Center reserves the right to decline or request changes to any element that presents a safety, accessibility, facilities, or display concern.

ORNAMENTS & ARTWORK

Artwork should be designed to safely hang or display on a Christmas tree.

Ornaments may be attached using ornament hooks, thread loops, wire, ribbon, or another secure hanging method.

All artwork must be original creative work. AI-generated artwork is not eligible.

Participants may also incorporate artwork that is designed to sit beneath, beside, or around the tree if it is part of the overall installation.

Participants who wish to include artwork on the gallery walls in addition to their tree may do so, space permitting. Please indicate this on your registration form so that we can plan the gallery layout.

ARTWORK SALES

Artwork and ornaments displayed on the tree may be offered for sale, or participants may choose to create their tree for display only.

Participants may sell individual ornaments/artworks or offer the entire tree as a collection.

The Arts Center will facilitate sales through its normal gallery sales procedures. Sales will be available primarily in connection with the December 2 opening reception. The trees will remain on display throughout the exhibition, but the Arts Center will not provide continuous sales service for individual ornaments throughout the entire exhibition period.

Participants are responsible for providing accurate titles, prices, names, and other requested information for any artwork offered for sale.

PEOPLE'S CHOICE

Visitors will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite Artist Tree during the exhibition.

One People's Choice Award will be presented at the conclusion of the exhibition, with a $50 prize.

This is a community-voted award and is separate from the exhibition entry process.

WHAT PARTICIPANTS RECEIVE

Participants will have their work featured in a professionally presented holiday exhibition at the Randolph County Community Arts Center.

The exhibition provides approximately seven weeks of public visibility during the holiday season, including the Arts Center's busy holiday programming and Holiday Artist Market on December 4–5.

Participants may receive:

  • Exhibition exposure to Arts Center visitors, community members, tourists, and supporters

  • Opportunity to sell original artwork and ornaments

  • Promotion through Arts Center exhibition publicity

  • Opportunity to introduce new audiences to their work, organization, or creative practice

  • Participation in a festive community-wide celebration of art

ENTRY FEE

One Tree:

  • Arts Center Artist Members: $15

  • Non-Member Artists & Community Participants: $25

  • Student Artists: $10

  • Businesses, Nonprofits & Community Organizations: $25

The entry fee is for participation in the exhibition and is non-refundable once the tree space has been confirmed.

IMPORTANT DATES

Early Registration — Holiday Artist Market Participants:
Early registration opens first for artists participating in the 2026 Holiday Artist Market. Early registration does not guarantee placement if all 12 exhibition spaces are not completed by the registration deadline.

General Registration Opens:
After the Holiday Artist Market early-registration period, remaining spaces will open to all eligible participants.

October 30, 2026 — Registration Deadline
Registration closes at the end of the day or earlier if all 12 tree spaces have been filled.

November 30, 2026 — Tree Installation
In-person installation: 9:30 AM–4:30 PM or by appointment.
Payment is due at installation unless other arrangements have been made in advance.

December 2, 2026 — Opening Reception
5:00–7:00 PM
Join us for the opening of Artist Trees of Elfkins and the opportunity to view the completed trees and purchase participating artists' artwork.

December 2, 2026–January 22, 2027 — Exhibition on Display

The exhibition will remain on display through January 22, 2027, with holiday programming and the Holiday Artist Market taking place during the exhibition period.

January 25, 2027 — Artwork & Tree Pickup
10:00 AM–4:00 PM or by appointment.

Participants are responsible for removing their tree and artwork by the designated pickup date.

REGISTRATION

Complete the Artist Trees of Elfkins Registration Form to reserve your tree space.

Because the exhibition is limited to 12 trees, early registration is encouraged.

Questions or special installation/accessibility needs? Please contact the Arts Center as soon as possible at 304-637-2355 or arts@randolpharts.org.

We can't wait to see what you create!

Enter Here!