'Positivi-Tree' Lights Up Downtown Silver Spring

From Downtown Silver Spring:

SILVER SPRING, MD — This past Saturday, Downtown Silver Spring lit up its annual iconic 35-foot public art holiday tree for its . Umbrellas also adorn the ceiling of a breezeway, forming a brightly colored canopy across from the tree.

“This year’s theme is timely,” said Laurie Yankowski, regional marketing director for Peterson Companies’ retail portfolio. Yankowski oversees Downtown Silver Spring and also oversaw the art installation. “We’ve received positive feedback and rave reviews on this unique holiday art installation. I hope that everyone will come out to enjoy it; you can’t help but be happy when you see all of the colors and lights.”

In an artists’ statement, Taylor and Unnasch said, “Positivi-Tree was designed to represent coming together, feeling safe as well as friendship, unity and inclusivity. It basically says, we’re all in this together, under the same umbrella.”

Positivi-Tree’s hundreds of umbrellas unfurl into a grandiose assortment of bright colors and patterns covering every inch of the tree. On top, a beach-sized parasol rotates playfully, its streamers dancing in the breeze. The tree is beautiful during the day but even better after sunset when an ever-changing light show undulates across the trees surface from within.

In addition to the ‘Positivi-Tree’ and the breezeway, there’s ‘The Wall of Positivi-Tree’ chalk wall where people are encouraged to respond to a weekly sentence starter pertaining to the holiday season.

Yankowski continued, “We’re also delighted to be partnering with CASA of Maryland, a worthwhile organization that provides significant assistance to members of our community.” The public is encouraged to snap and share a photo to benefit CASA. Between Nov. 12 and Dec. 18, snap a pic of the ‘Positivi-Tree’ on the Fountain Plaza or the Umbrella Canopy in the breezeway; share the photo using #PositiviTree to Instagram, Twitter or the Downtown Silver Spring Facebook page and The Peterson Family Foundation will give one dollar for every photo shared, up to $2500.

Positivi-Tree is located at 916 Ellsworth Drive at the Fountain Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring. For more information or to see photos of the art installations, visit www.DowntownSilverSpring.com.

Image via Downtown Silver Spring.