📍 Illumination Festival of Trees | ⏰ Now through January 4
🚂 Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen, 2880 Mountain Rd, Glen Allen, VA 23060
Stepping into the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen during the Illumination Festival of Trees is like entering a glittering wonderland. Hallways glow with the warm reflection of countless ornaments, each tree a curated world of creativity and holiday spirit. Among them, the Ashland Town Tree quietly commands attention—not through grandeur alone, but through the remarkable generosity and artistry that brought it to life.
Ashland Town Tree at the Cultural Arts Center of Glen Allen
This tree is a gift from Downtown Ashland Association’s in-kind sponsors, decorated on behalf of the neighbors who live and create in the Center of the Universe. Each ornament tells a story, and each story reflects a labor of love. Hand-painted oyster shells from Elizabeth Poole Art shimmer with delicate craftsmanship. Portraits of senior ambassadors, transformed into ornaments by Kristie Bradley Photography, capture the dignity, pride, and individuality of Ashland’s residents. Even covers of Neighbors of Ashland Magazine become ornaments, celebrating the people who make our town feel alive.
Neighbors of Ashland Magazine ornament featuring Mayor Steve Trivett
The tree sparkles with a spirit of local enterprise and artistic flair: a glittering horse from Changing Reins nods to Ashland’s equestrian heritage, while a steampunk-inspired ornament from A Masque Darkly sparks curiosity and delight. Slipped Disc Studios contributes a piece from their own family collection, a miniature home that reflects the creative heart of the Center of the Universe. And for those captivated by movement, sound, and precision, Tiny Tims Trains & Toys offers intricate model train-inspired ornaments, celebrating both hands-on learning and the playful magic of the season. Sparkling ornaments from Cece Cox Wolfe add the perfect finishing touch, bringing light and texture that make the tree feel alive.
Walking among the trees in the Center, it’s impossible not to notice the thought, talent, and care poured into each piece. The Ashland Town Tree is a celebration of community generosity and creativity, a living gallery where every ornament has its own story and every story enriches the whole. It’s an invitation to look closer, appreciate the artistry, and wander through a holiday world where Ashland truly shines.