Public Invited to Decorate Community Tree at 4th Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 28, 2008

For more information, contact:

Miah Michaelsen, Assistant Economic Development Director for the Arts at michaelm@bloomington.in.gov or (812) 349-3534
Martina Celerin, 4th Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts at info@4thstreet.org


Bloomington, IN - 4th Street Festival-goers are invited to decorate the Bloomington Community Tree, an interactive community art project that will be showcased at the 2008 Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts on August 30th and 31st in the heart of Bloomington's Arts and Entertainment District (BEAD).

Martina Celerin, developer of the project and member of 4th Street Festival Steering Committee, says the tree represents Bloomington's status as a Tree City and the collaborative and generous nature of the community.

"We wanted an art project that would involve the entire community and say something about who we are as a community," said Celerin. "The talent and generosity surrounding this project has been amazing. Amy Brier, founder and director of the annual Indiana Limestone Sculpture Symposium, carved the tree's trunk. The material for the wire-wrapped branches came from the collection of late Indiana University Art Department faculty member Bud Stalnaker. Additionally, artists and other volunteers have spent countless hours preparing more than 500 oversized American Elm leaves to be placed on the tree during the festival."

The community is invited to embellish individual leaves and place them on the tree, which will be located in the Festival's interactive Kidszone arts area. After the tree is decorated, it will be displayed at City Hall to be enjoyed indefinitely.

The Bloomington Community Tree was funded in part by an Arts Project grant by the City of Bloomington's Community Arts Commission, as well as through donations by artists and other community members.

The 32nd Fourth Street Festival of the Arts and Crafts will be held Saturday, August 30th from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, August 31st from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Fourth and Grant Streets in downtown Bloomington's Entertainment and Arts District (BEAD). The festival features live music and more than 100 artist booths showcasing unique arts and crafts in traditional to contemporary designs. Admission to the festival is free of charge. For more information about the Festival, Kidszone or the Bloomington Community Tree, visit www.4thstreet.org.

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