Town turns tree trunks into ‘Tree Legacy Project’

When life hands you lemons — you make lemonade.

But what do you do when life hands you dozens of downed trees? Well the Municipality of Leamington is hoping make works of art.

Following the June 6 tornado, the town was left with 68 trees destroyed or damaged in Seacliff Park alone. But they were able to salvage three large tree trunks for a very special contest — the ‘Tree Legacy Project’.

Through the project, in co-operation with the municipality, the South Essex Arts Association and the Windsor Essex Woodcarvers, the town is hoping to transform these large tree trunks into a unique display of art in the park — a reminder of the strength of the local residents and the renewal that has occurred since the devastation caused by the tornado, according to Amanda Smith, Manager Recreation and Culture.

The municipality, which was in the process of completing a makeover in the park, including walking trails, fencing, parking lot and splash pad, is hoping to attract three-D woodcarvers to compete for the honor of creating a piece of artwork from the tree trunk.

Entry forms are available at the Arts Centre or downloaded from the website (www.leamingtonartscentre.com). The deadline for entrants if April 1 and the winners will be announced on April 17.

Work on the carving is expected to begin on May 1 and be completed by June 1.

According to Smith, the final works of art will be unveiled on June 4.

For further information contact Smith at 322-2337.