Ceramics and trees at International Lounge
From an origami Christmas tree by the Japanese club to an all-pink tree accessorized by the fashion club, clubs and organizations from all over Utah State University’s campus came together to offer holiday cheer to the community.
This is the Christmas tree lane.
David Osmond, Associated Students of USU vice president for organization and traditions, said it was fun to see the reactions of people when they first put the trees up on Monday.
“People get excited,” he said of the trees in the International Lounge.
There are 30 trees, which they got at Lowe’s at a discounted price, he said.
Every year they ask clubs to decorate a tree. The club provides their own decorations.
“We provide the tree and stand and the clubs provide the decorations,” said Kari Mecham, the assistant director for student involvement and leadership member.
In addition to the Japanese club’s oragamied tree and the fashion club’s dressed up pine, clubs such as the Student Alumni Association, the Latter-day Saint Student Association, the German club and the Baptist Campus Ministry took charge of a tree to decorate with whatever they pleased. For example, the diversity club’s tree consisted of toy Carebears.
The trees will be taken to Sub-for-Santa on Saturday and donated to families in the valley.
The Christmas tree lane has been going for more than five years and is now considered a tradition, Osmond said.
He said that it promotes both the clubs and the university. Also, it reminds students that although they are poor college students, they are still better off than some others, he said.
One of the trees decorated by the Theta Nu Xi sorority had school supplies hanging all over it.
“It’s something Theta Nu Xi can do for the community,” said Senior Caress Bergado, an interdisciplinary design major.
She added that the tree was special because the items on it could be used later by whomever receives the tree.
Situated carefully between the two rows of trees, three rows of tables hosted a plethora of pottery – almost any ceramic creation possible with a univeristy budget.
Ted Neal, the ceramics studio coordinator in the arts department, said 23 members of the Ceramics Guild participated in this winters sale.
“Sales are great,” he said.
The ceramics sale was held from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday. Neal said 20 percent of the profits went to the guild and 80 percent to the individual. The individuals, he said, set the prices on their items.
“We set a minimum price – $8,” he said.
The money that goes to the guild will go toward buying equipment and supplies to help guild members, Neal said.
Guild members took turns all day Thursday during the sale taking money and answering questions about the pottery.
Neal said the holiday sale occurs every year and has been for an estimated 20 plus years.
-emilieholmes@cc.usu.edu
-vivramirez@cc.usu.du