HeARTS for EVERY HOME: Arts of the Pamlico holds unique clothing drive
Published 6:13 pm Wednesday, November 25, 2015
VAIL STEWART RUMLEY | DAILY NEWS
DRESSED UP: Eight live Christmas trees await decoration at the Turnage Theatre gallery. During Friday’s ArtWalk, the public is invited to bring gently used warm-weather clothing to be used as ornaments for the trees. The “ornaments” will be donated to the local homeless shelter.
Arts of the Pamlico is putting a new spin on ArtWalk, by asking people to help decorate a collection of live and lighted Christmas trees in the Turnage Theatre gallery with a different type of ornament.
“Basically we’re asking the public to come Friday night and help decorate trees with warm-weather clothing for the homeless — hats, scarves, mittens and coats,” said Lauri Arntsen, AOP’s program director.
The gently used clothing will be donated to Zion Shelter and Kitchen, Beaufort County’s only homeless shelter.
“This is an awareness drive for the Zion Homeless Shelter and a way to remember what it means to give. We want everyone to stay warm with a roof over their heads,” Arntsen said in a press release.
It’s also the launch of ‘HeARTS for Every Home,” the AOP’s official theme for the season, with a focus on giving back to the community with creative projects and free holiday movies running on a loop: “The Grinch,” “White Christmas,” “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” and more.
Friday’s project is AOP’s way of giving back to community, while putting a creative touch on a clothing drive, according to AOP Executive Director Joey Toler.
Since AOP took over the historic theatre in 2013, Toler had toyed with the idea of hosting a festival of trees during the Christmas season, but with Zion Shelter’s recent dire financial straits, AOP staff decided to roll a few events into one, Toler said.
“A festival of trees, the Fine Arts Show, a clothing drive — this is kind of a hybrid, taking elements from all of those. But it’s also a way to connect with the community,” Toler said.
In addition to mulled wine and cookies at the tree-decorating event, there will be exhibits of handmade arts and crafts for sale.
“We wanted to find some way to give back to the community, promote our artists and support the Shop Local campaigns. The holiday timing just seemed right,” Arntsen said.
ArtWalk, a progressive arts reception hosted by downtown Washington galleries, runs from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. The public is invited.
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