NYC Parks to Celebrate Holidays with 31st Annual Wreath Exhibit at Arsenal Gallery, 12/5-/19

Wreath Interpretations celebrates its 31st anniversary with more wreaths than ever before. A holiday custom at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park, this show puts a contemporary spin on the traditional symbol that has roots in antiquity. The exhibition opens to the public on Thursday, December 5 and remains on display through January 9, 2014. Among the exhibitors are fine artists, designers, and horticulturalists.

"Once again the halls of the Arsenal Gallery are decked with interpretative wreaths for our annual holiday exhibit," said NYC Parks Commissioner Veronica M. White. "This year's collection celebrates a cherished holiday tradition and we thank the artists for putting their creative spin on this timeless circular form."

This year's exhibition offers an eclectic collection of 47 wreath interpretations that veer away from traditional organics to more modern and quirky styles. Participants use the customary circular motif as a springboard to experiment with unusual materials, such as neck ties, rat traps, acorns, recycled plastic bags and forged steel.

Artists have approached a number of different themes this year ranging from zombie apocalypses to water conservation. Gale Citron composed her wreath out of old Playbills and ticket stubs to celebrate New York Broadway shows. Coral Decay by Richard Daniel Lopez focuses on the devastating effects of coral bleaching has on sea life. Abigail Marsh's wreath explores the planet's water cycle with laser-cut wood and glass beads. RMS Titanic by Jasmine Ho elaborates on wreaths' historical function as memorials at the site of sunken ships. These visually and conceptually imaginative wreaths make this exhibition an essential addition to holiday to-do lists.

The individuals and groups who produced the pieces are: Fanny Allié, Laura Alvarez Fernandez, Manhee Bak, Kirsti Bambridge, Grace Barretti, Lisa Brownlie, Kathy Bruce, Flora Chou, John Clarke, Patricia Clark, Gale Citron, Rita Coelho, Oliver Corwin, Hollis Fox, Francis Gessner, Morgan Gildersleeve, Edward Gormley, Larry Hagberg, Jasmine Ho, Judith Hoffman Corwin, The Horticultural Society of New York, Nadia Jarrett, Paul Aaron Johnson, Roshni Kochher, George Kroenert, Melanie Lee, Alexandra Leff, Richard Daniel Lopez, Abigail Marsh, Charles McKinney, Robert Mitchell, Justin Nissley, Cassidy Peck, Richard Porpiglia, Wendy Popp, Leonora Retsas, Saradyn Sanon, Lizzi Shin, Quillan Snyder, Renata Sokolowski, Stuyvesant Park Garden, Shira Toren, Sarah Frazier, Venus Melo, Vanessa Valdes, Barbara Wallace, NYC Parks' Wetland Restoration Team, Audrey Zeidman and Deborah Zingale.

For a look at "Ghosts of Wreaths Past," visit Parks' It's My Park website (http://youtu.be/o1MWX3yQBCg). The exhibition was organized by Parks & Recreation's Public Art Coordinator Jennifer Lantzas. Many of the wreaths are for sale with a portion of the sales benefiting Parks programs.

The Arsenal Gallery is dedicated to examining themes of nature, urban space, wildlife, New York City parks and park history. It is located on the third floor of the Parks Department Headquarters, in Central Park, on Fifth Avenue at 64th Street. Gallery hours are Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information on the Arsenal Gallery, please call 212-360-8163.