“Anna’s Oak II” from the exhibit Deeply Rooted with 2023 Artist in Residence, Adelyn Duchala

Call for Entries

Anna’s Oak Commemorative Exhibition
to benefit French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust

We invite local artists to participate in a special call for entries inspired by a poignant event: the recent fall of Anna’s Oak, a 235-year-old white oak in the The Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve part of French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust. This majestic tree, a symbol of timeless natural beauty and history, has left behind materials that we now seek to transform into art.

We are looking for proposals for creative and thoughtful works that incorporate fallen materials from Anna’s Oak. This includes, but is not limited to: 

  • Wood Furniture

  • Wood Frames

  • Artisan Crafts

  • Sculpture

  • Ceramics

  • Jewelry

  • Illustration

  • Photography

  • Painting

  • Printmaking

We also welcome existing work made of Anna’s Oak while she was still standing.

Warwick Furnace Farm will host an exhibition of these works in our gallery space, celebrating the artistry born from this storied tree. Proceeds from the exhibition will benefit the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust, supporting their ongoing efforts to reforest The Thomas P. Bentley Nature Preserve and conserve open spaces.

Artists will be offered tree material for two proposed pieces with the agreement that 100% of the sale of one piece will be donated to the French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust – and the second piece is for the artist to have or sell as they see fit. 

Warwick Furnace Farm will design a limited run co-branded commemorative retail object from artwork that lends itself to reproduction (stationary, tote bag, etc to be agreed upon with select artists and the F&PCCT). Those selected artists will be given a set number of these objects for their own purposes as compensation for image licensing. The profits of these sales will be split 50/50 between French & Pickering Creeks Conservation Trust and the arts program at Warwick Furnace Farm. 

Our gallery will host an opening reception with light thematic refreshments over a weekend in mid September of 2025.  Participating artist will be invited to attend and will be encouraged to answer questions about their work. 

We call on the creativity of our community to honor and commemorate Anna’s Oak, preserving its legacy through art. Submit your entries to become part of this meaningful tribute.

Submission Applications Open: October 1, 2024
Proposal Submission Deadline: October 16, 2024
Acceptance Notification: October 27, 2024
Tree Material Pick Up: November, 2024 TBD upon acceptance
Artwork Delivery Deadline: April 2025
Exhibition Dates: September-November 2025
Opening Reception Date: TBA September 2025 

We look forward to celebrating the enduring spirit of Anna’s Oak through your unique creations.

“Reaching Tree” by Adelyn Duchala, 2023

 
 
 

Since French & Pickering was established in 1967, the organization has worked with landowners, townships, foundations and the state and county to purchase and monitor conservation easements, create parkland and preserve environmentally sensitive land leading to the protection of more than 13,500 acres in northern Chester County.

French & Pickering works daily to protect the scenic and cultural landscapes that surround you, to create opportunities for you and your family to connect with nature through public trails, nature preserves and environmental education opportunities and to protect critical habitat and ecosystems for the non-human residents in our neighborhood.