By Joel Frady

The smell of Christmas trees and hot coffee was in the air at the Ashe County Arts Council on Saturday

morning as several local citizens gathered to prepare for the 2008 Tree Fest Exhibit. The exhibit, which has been held annually for 15 years, is designed as "a way to celebrate Ashe County Christmas trees and give artists, businesses and individuals a chance to show off their holiday decorating skills," according to arts council executive director Jane Lonon.

"Each year, we're continually amazed at the ideas that come forth and the people that want to decorate a tree," she continued. "The different themes all mean something to them - some are very traditional holiday oriented, while others are just fun and whimsical - but each one of the trees brings something different to the season, and there's guaranteed to be something in this room that will speak to somebody and that folks will enjoy."

Local citizens and businesses designed each tree with a central theme, which ranged from a Mexican-style Christmas tree decorated by members of the Hispanic Mission, while other tree themes included a tribute to Elvis covered in tiny disco balls to a wine-themed tree featuring a skirt of empty bottles and ornaments made of wine corks.

The exhibit also saw the return of veteran decorators. Molly Gambill and Helen Sexton, who have decorated at Tree Fest every year, who said that they usually begin working on their project in February once they come up with a funny, unique idea. This year their theme was hair-bows.

Not all the trees were full-size, either. Nancy Carter of Stone Bridge decorated a "gingerbread tree" with ornaments that looked like kitchen tools, while another small tree honoring the Barn Quilt Project is covered with tiny versions of the colorful quilts.

Other trees were decorated to represent local organizations, such as one arranged by High Country Hospice.

"Butterflies are the hospice symbol, and our volunteers made these hospice ornaments for us," said Candice Cook of the Hospice marketing department. "They're made out of recycled paper with wildflower seeds, so you can hang them on your tree at Christmas time, and then plant them in your garden and the flowers will bloom in the spring." Hospice has also placed 12 similar trees throughout Jefferson and West Jefferson.

Lonon said that the arts council's tree, titled My Favorite Things, is "an invitation to local artists to create original ornaments for the tree." The ornaments hanging on all the trees are for sale, along with miniature paintings and picture, created by 15 local artists, that will be hanging on the walls.

The exhibit opened on Tuesday, Nov. 25, and will be on display until Wednesday, Dec. 31. An opening reception for the exhibit will be held as part of the Ashe County Arts Council's Holiday Open House on Saturday, Dec. 6, with a reception for the artists from 2 to 4 p.m.

Lonon noted that "it's a nice time of year to be able to showcase the wonderful array of art and artists that we have here in the county."

To find out more about the 2008 Tree Fest Exhibit, visit the Ashe County Arts Council, call (336) 846-2787 or click to www.ashecountyarts.org.