The Christmas Tree Forest at the Art Museum of South Texas brings favorite children’s books to life in the form of decorated trees. The forest of 30 trees decorated by different school groups is open for a stroll through the museum through Wednesday, Dec. 12. Museum visitors are asked to vote on their favorites.
The top three classes with the most votes receives gift cards from sponsor H-E-B.  work. The Junior League of Corpus Christi, an organization of women that promotes volunteerism and improves the community through leadership, also sponsors the event.
“We volunteer our time with the art museum and schools,” said Kandus Dakus, co-chair of committee that organizes the event for the Junior League. “I love kids. I love reading and teaching kids to read. It’s exciting.”
The Junior League also chooses six schools in target areas to increase literacy development and takes the first-graders on field trips to view the trees at the museum.
“My favorite part of it all is seeing the beautiful trees and how excited the kids are to look at them and seeing them make the connection between reading and learning and back to the tree,” Dakus said. “Their eyes light up with happiness — that’s the most rewarding thing to the volunteers.”
The trees anchor the museum's free Family Fun Day, which is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2018.
Normally closed on Monday, the museum will be open on three bonus Mondays: Nov. 26, Dec. 3, and Dec. 10.
Activities include:

  • visits with Santa Claus;
  • art projects;
  • live entertainment performed by dance teams from local schools;
  • free books and goody bags provided by H-E-B.

After the exhibit closes down for the season, the trees will be given to the Garcia Center, and from there, they will be donated to families in need of a Christmas tree.

The Art Museum of South Texas is located at 1902 N. Shoreline Blvd. in Corpus Christi. Hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. The museum is closed on Monday. Admission on regular days is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and military, $4 for students, and free for kids under 12, TAMU-CC students and museum members.