The Edmond History Museum presents Trees in Our Town, an annual Arbor Day Art Show featuring the award-winning art created by fifth graders from Edmond schools. The exhibit runs from Spring Break through April 29, 2023.
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Trees in Our Town at the Edmond History Museum
Winning Tree Art
The Edmond Urban Forestry Department administers this art event annually as part of its Oklahoma Arbor Week celebration. Participating students depict trees through drawings and paintings. The first through third place and honorable mention winners from each school are then showcased at the Edmond History Museum. The Edmond Visual Arts Commission selects the three top “Best of Show” winners, and the Museum selects an “Edmond Heritage Award” for entries that interpret an aspect of Edmond culture or architecture in addition to trees and a “Museum Favorite.”
Top winners of 2023 are:
- Best of Show 1st: Beautiful Oklahoma by Mayuri Tempudi of West Field Elementary
- Best of Show 2nd: The Four Seasons by Princess Arpoika of Ida Freeman Elementary
- Best of Show 3rd: Gods Creation by Sasha Ostovar of Oklahoma Christian Academy
- Museum Edmond Heritage Award: Trees Belong in Edmond by Kate Shaida of Washington Irving Elementary
- Museum Favorite: Earth on Stairs by Emma Holmes of Russell Dougherty Elementary
- Museum Director’s Choice: A Park by Gabe Roberts of Heritage Elementary
Trees in Our Town is sponsored by: Edmond Urban Forestry Department, Citizens Bank of Edmond, Edmond Public Schools, Edmond Electric, Edmond Visual Arts Committee, Trees in Our Town, and Edmond History Museum.
Trees in Edmond
In addition to the student artwork, museum interpretive panels provide historical information and photographs about tree culture in Edmond, Oklahoma. When 1889 homesteaders arrived in the area west side of town was a flat mixed-grass prairie, but the eastern side was a belt of ancient deciduous forest, made up of hardy blackjack and post oaks. Edmond townspeople quickly saw the benefits of trees, and began planting more trees in urban areas. Some trees in Edmond have been identified as 200+ years old, and Edmondites continue to value parks and greenspaces.
Additional Learning Opportunity
Hands-On Workshop: Can You Tell the Difference Between Lichen, Moss or Algae? Dr. Sheila Strawn, ecologist and educator will lead participants on an exploration of these little-understood components of tree ecology on April 8, 10:30-12:00pm, $5 per person, suitable for adults and older children. RSVP at EdmondHistory.org.
Museum Information: The mission of Edmond History Museum is to celebrate Edmond history through preservation and education. Museum hours are 10:00-5:00 Monday – Friday, and 1:00-4:00 Saturday. Please visit the museum website at www.edmondhistory.org or by calling the museum at 405-340-0078. Museum admission is free.