Alaska State Council on the Arts: 2015 Capitol Christmas Tree Ornament Call

The Chugach National Forest, in partnership with the Alaska State Council on the Arts and Alaska Geographic, is seeking Alaskan artists to create one-of-a-kind ornaments for the 2015 People's Tree that will stand in front of the U.S. Capitol Building during the 2015 holiday season. This is the first time Alaska has been chosen to provide the tree for the Capitol. The designs of selected ornaments will inspire 5,000 more ornaments made by students and community members across Alaska. Selected ornaments will decorate the People's Tree and various smaller trees in offices throughout the Capitol and other buildings in Washington D.C. Selected artists may also serve as ambassadors for this project in Alaska and Washington, D.C.

The ornament theme is "From the Great Land, A Great Tree. A gift from Alaska to the Nation." Your ornament should highlight your personal connection to Alaska's landscape, wildlife, heritage, or ecosystems. Artists living in Alaska are eligible to apply. Up to ten artists will be selected, with preference for submissions representing a variety of regions and demographics, including youth. Each selected artist will receive $750.

Ornaments should be approximately 10" in height and weigh less than one-half pound. They must include a method for hanging securely from a tree branch and should be designed with the outdoors in mind. Use of recycled, sustainable, and natural materials is highly encouraged. Materials should reflect Alaska and/or your region, and natural materials from invasive species should not be used. Submissions should include 1-10 images of artistic work related to your ornament concept, along with a brief artist statement (1000 characters or less) explaining how the ornament represents the theme and your connection to the land. You must also provide an initial plan for how elementary-aged youth can use your ornament for inspiration, including a materials list. All submissions must be original and not reproductions or contain copyrighted material. Selected artists may be asked to modify certain elements during finalization.

Selected artists will deliver final ornaments by March 2, 2015, including the original completed ornament, final artist statement, template with directions for reproduction by elementary-aged youth, a sample ornament made from the template, and high-resolution digital photos in .jpg format. Templates should be submitted in .doc format and allow participants to express themselves within the art form rather than copying every detail. Materials for the reproducible ornament must be readily accessible and child-friendly. Compensation for materials is possible based on availability. Selected artists may participate in community engagement events where their art inspires ornaments created by schools and youth groups, and will be compensated for this time. Selected works and artists may be highlighted at high-profile events throughout Alaska and Washington, D.C.