Festival of Trees Winners!

Deb Hopfinger of White, South Dakota, won this year's Festival of Trees People's Choice Award for "Jewels of my Life." It was a close race between "Jewels" and "It's a Wonderful Life in Origami" by Jed Nixon. The 4-H group, The Lucky Leprechauns, won the kids' division with their tree featuring handmade ornaments. The Lucky Leprechauns have competed for a number of years without taking home the prize. But their leader, Louise Coull, just happened to mention that the children donate their tree every year to the Domestic Abuse Shelter here in Brookings--so they're winners even when they don't get the big prize!

The gorgeous Nativity Scene donated by the Dakota Prairie Woodcarvers was won by Cathy Knapp of Rapid City.

Thank you to all who participated this year. While the final figures aren't in yet, it appears we had record numbers of people coming through and an increase in our fundraising amounts. Thank you so much!

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All the Trimmings at Festival of Trees

One of the best parts of Festival of Trees is that it gives those groups who meet at the arts council an opportunity to show the community what they do and maybe find like-minded folks to join them. This year, the woodcarvers group donated a beautiful Nativity scene for our raffle and hand-carved ornaments to offer for sale with the proceeds to go to the BAC. This year a new group started meeting on Thursday mornings. Most of the members are pursuing an interest in watercolor painting, others in acrylics. The group presented the BAC with a basket of beautiful note cards to offer for sale, some of which are pictured here. These are very reasonably priced at $2 each or six for $10. Again, all the proceeds go to the arts council. The cards are going quickly, so stop in soon to check them out. 

Incidentally, we also have homegrown chopped walnuts, homemade relish and desk top decorated trees for sale as well through December 11 or while supplies last.

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Dakota Prairie Woodcarvers

History: The first meeting of Dakota Prairie Woodcarvers was held December 4, 1988 at the Community Cultural Center (CCC). About twenty people attended and enthusiastically supported woodcarving. Since the first year, the club has donated Christmas decorations and ornaments to the Brookings Arts Council at the CCC for their Christmas tree display and silent auction. 


Meeting: regular meetings are held first Monday of every month except June, July, and August. They meet at the Brooking Art Council from 7:00 PM  to 9:00 PM. A carving project suitable for beginners is typically available to provide "hands on" experience for everyone attending. 


Special classes or work shops led by well-known instructors are offered from time to time. 

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