It’s beginning to look a lot like bidding for tiny Christmas trees in the name of a big cause.
At 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, the La Conner Swinomish Library will host its Tiny Trees event, a fundraiser that supports the library and celebrates local creative minds, at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge, 12885 Casino Drive.
The stars of the show are the 18 2-foot-tall trees, decorated by various artists whose interests and skills stand out in each unique design.
“We have amazing creativity in this community, and each tree shines out on its own,” said Library Director Jean Markert, who added she’s always excited to see what people come up with every year. “It’s so much fun.”
A debut in cedar
Kevin Paul, a Swinomish artist who specializes in contemporary and traditional Native American carvings, is bringing “The Elements of the World,” featuring cedar ornaments he carved and painted over the course of a week and a half.
This is the first time Paul is contributing to the Tiny Trees auction, feeling inspired to make his own tree after seeing other people’s creations. A former library board member and the artist behind the totem story pole outside the library, he was motivated by his desire to give back to his community.
After some thinking, he came up with a tree that celebrates the natural elements and Indigenous culture.
The eagles, which give guidance, are placed at the top, or the “sky.” The bear ornaments represent strength in the tree’s middle section, the “land.” Orcas adorn the bottom of the tree, representing power in the “water.”
“It’s one of a kind and it has a good story behind it,” he said.
Paul also contributed a cedar wall plaque called “The Elements of the World” to the live auction.
Supporting a library for everyone
In the years since its inception, the event has been hosted at progressively larger facilities because of its popularity. First, to demonstrate the need for a bigger building, it was held at the old library at 614 Morris Street. Later, it was brought to the new library at 520 Morris Street and, last year, to Maple Hall.
Sarah Rabel, director of the La Conner Library Foundation, said the casino also was chosen as this year’s venue to emphasize the library belongs to both La Conner and Swinomish communities, whose advocacy and financial contributions led to the opening of the new La Conner Swinomish Library in 2022.
“We’re a library for everyone,” she said.
The event will feature food, drinks, the Tiny Trees silent auction, a live auction, a video on the history of the library and traditional Lushooteed performances by Rudy and Doc Vendiola of Swinomish, Rabel said.
A jolly holiday tree
After creations like “Candy Land” and “The Polar Express,” Christina Rubenstein’s and Robyn Burdick’s submission for this year’s auction was inspired by a children’s classic, “Mary Poppins.” The couple owns Tillinghast Postal and Business Center in La Conner and are both major craft enthusiasts.
For them, Tiny Trees is an excuse to make art and go Christmas shopping without cluttering their home.
“This is very helpful for us,” Rubenstein laughed.
“It’s a Jolly Holiday with Mary” took three months of work and includes iconic items from the 1964 movie, such as penguin waiters, carousel horses, kites and Poppins’ measuring tape swirling around the tree — which comes out of her carpet bag.
“It’s all handmade and has love poured into every inch of it,” said Rubenstein.
The tree also comes with some extra goodies, including a Mary Poppins teacup.
Rubenstein and Burdick are in their fifth year of decorating trees to support the library, a place they say provides a safe environment for children to learn and stay warm after school.
Tickets for “Tiny Trees 2025: A Legacy Together” cost $35. For more information, visit the website or contact Sarah Rabel at srabel@lclib.lib.wa.us.
Community members who wish to support the library but can’t attend the event can make a donation to the La Conner Library Foundation at laconnerlibraryfoundation.org.
Luisa Loi is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
