TORONTO, CANADA.- The Gardiner Museum of Ceramics presents "Twelve Trees of Christmas Past 15th Anniversary Review of the Finest Themes," on view through December 10, 2003. As the seasons change, the air becomes cooler; we realize that the Holiday Season is not that far away. Toronto will be blanketed with snow, citizens will see there breath, children will bundle-up before venturing outside, shops display their wares for Christmas and the Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art prepares for the Twelve Trees of Christmas, the official launch of the holiday season in this city. The Twelve Trees of Christmas is the Gardiner Museum’s largest seminal fundraiser, and is a favorite holiday tradition in Toronto. This year we are celebrating our fifteenth anniversary and as such the theme of this year’s Twelve Trees is the 15th Anniversary Review of the Finest Themes. As in previous years, the Gardiner, has invited some of the city’s top designers (supported by individual and corporate sponsors) to decorate trees along a particular theme. Participating design companies include Julia West Home, Norma King Design Inc., Katherine Burke Design, Taylor Hannah Architect Inc among others.

This year, the Small Trees Room will showcase gingerbread houses and other Holiday Treats along with the small trees, wreaths and centrepieces for purchase at the gala and auction. Considered the first major Holiday Season event on Toronto’s social calendar, the Gala attracts a large crowd of the city’s business and political elite. Popular Toronto radio and television personality Carla Collins will be wielding the gavel as this year’s celebrity auctioneer. Proceeds from the gala event go to support the Gardiner’s acquisitions and exhibitions. The 2003 Gala and Auction will take place on Tuesday, November 18, 6:30 pm (tickets $150), after which the trees will be exhibited November 20 through December 11 at the Gardiner Museum. This gala event raises money for acquisitions and exhibitions at the Gardiner. In keeping with the Christmas spirit, many of the trees are donated by their purchasers to local charities: such as St. Michael’s Hospital, Providence Centre, The Hospital for Sick Kids, Beatrice House Early Childhood Centre, and the Caledon Community Centre. In 2002, The Twelve Trees of Christmas attracted some 4,000 visitors to the museum and more than 700 school children came to enjoy the trees and participate in themed education programs. This annual event is much loved among families, seniors, school groups and infuses everyone with Christmas spirit.