FIU CARTA’S Department of Interior Architecture in the no. 17 nationally ranked School of Architecture is hosting its 35th annual Festival of the Trees event on Thursday, November 16th, 2023 from 6:30 to 9:30 PM at Coral Gables Country Club, Miami.
Started in 1987, the fundraising event has raised over $500,000 for student scholarships and design education advocacy. One of the few STEM-designated interior design programs in the nation, the FIU Interior Architecture program’s vision is to cultivate an educational ethos that engages the culturally rich setting of Miami through teaching, service, scholarship, creative activities, and community engagement.
“Beyond just being an event, Festival of the Trees is a celebration of creative energy within the South Florida Design community,” said FIU Interior Architecture Chair Newton D’souza. “FOT aims to foster relationships, collaboration, and learning among designer-vendor teams as well as alumni and students.”
Each year, Festival of the Trees brings together South Florida’s designers and industry professionals to kick off the holiday season and participate in an evening of creativity, ingenuity, and networking. Event sponsors underwrite designers and artists to create “trees” that are displayed and auctioned off during the event.
The theme for this year, “The Future of Space,” is particularly exciting. With the recent launch of the James Webb Space Telescope, capable of delving into the deepest realms of the cosmos, and initiatives like SpaceX’s advancements in space transportation, the question arises: How do designers envision the future of space? Designers are challenged to create trees that ignite our imaginations about space exploration, our aspirations for future space habitats, and ultimately, our understanding of our place in the universe.
Judges for this year’s exhibit include Andrew Quarrie, founder of Urblandia and the creator/host of the Urbanism Summit; Angela Caraway-Carlton, veteran television news producer/ reporter, magazine editor, content writer, and media coach; Massimiliano Galeazzi, Professor and the Chair of the Department of Physics at the University of Miami; and Ivan Wilzig, a multifaceted talent known as “Sir Ivan” or “Peaceman”. He supports numerous causes through the Peaceman Foundation.
All artists, designers, architects, and anyone in the creative field are invited to participate. Guests will enjoy live music, drinks, and an award ceremony. Valet parking and public parking are available for guests. Further details are available at the Festival of the Trees website and individual or group tickets are available below.
