THE EXHIBIT

When Gold Trees Bloom:

A Story of Rediscovery and Renewal

From Forgotten Retail Fixtures to Living Public Art

The story of the Gold Trees begins in an unexpected place—inside the seasonal displays of Saks Fifth Avenue. These handcrafted metal sculptures once stood quietly as part of the retail world, admired but never fully seen for the artistry they carried within them.

In 2024, when the Saks store in Indianapolis Indiana closed, I came across three of these trees at the Saks auction. They were in pieces, disassembled and waiting for their fate. But the moment I saw them, I knew they were special. The craftsmanship of the metalwork, the elegance of the forms—it all spoke to me. Even without knowing the original sculptor’s name, I could feel the hand of an artist alive within them.

For now, these trees remain anonymous art, respectfully credited to the unknown creator whose vision first brought them to life. I was told that only a few survive today—a pair in the Beverly Hills Saks, and another 3 or 4 trees perhaps scattered in private collections around the world.

But here, their story takes a new turn. Re-imagined as Gold Trees Bloom, they have stepped beyond the confines of commerce into the heart of community. Each year, they return to life not just as sculptures, but as living public art—immersive works that invite people to gather, to reflect, and to contribute their own voices.

The Gold Trees Bloom because of all of us. Together, through gratitude, memory, and imagination, we give them new leaves, new meaning, and

new life. We are not alone.

The Mental Health Movement Behind the Art - My Mission

This installation is not just about art.

It’s about what the art makes possible.

The Mental‑Health Crisis Facing Youth Today

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in 2023 roughly 4 in 10 high‑school students (≈ 40%) reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
In the same survey, about 20% of students seriously considered attempting suicide, and nearly 10% attempted suicide.
A 2025 analysis by child‑health researchers finds that nearly 1 in 5 (≈ 18%) adolescents age 12–17 had at least one major depressive episode in the past year — equivalent to millions of young people nationwide.

More broadly: Almost one in three (≈ 31%) youth now experience a mental, emotional, developmental, or behavioral problem .

These statistics reflect a growing, widespread mental‑health crisis affecting adolescents — despair, loneliness, depression, hopelessness, suicidal thoughts. The root causes are complex: social isolation, increased pressures (academic, social media, economic), disruption during pandemic years, systemic inequalities, and lack of accessible mental‑health support.

I experienced these feelings myself as a young person and to be honest most of people I know did too... In that era we were just told not talk about it and bury it inside. Which does not work - you feel weird, isolated, and deeply unhappy. And some of my friends decided to take their own lives because they felt there was no relief, no way out, no hope... So i decided to do something to make people understand you are not alone.

In my research for this project - one factor repeatedly shown up to help youth is connection — feeling seen, heard, included, and part of a community. That is why I created the Bloom concept.

How Gold Trees Bloom Responds to The Youth Mental Crisis:

Gold Trees Bloom — with its public, participatory, emotionally resonant format — is uniquely positioned to address several of the underlying issues in youth mental-health:

Community & Connection: The installation invites people (especially young people) to contribute their own “leaf” — a personal thought, reflection, hope, or memory. This process helps combat isolation and fosters a sense of belonging.
Expression & Healing: The act of writing, placing a leaf, viewing a living “forest” of collective emotional expression can be cathartic — offering a non‑clinical, creative outlet for feelings of sadness, hope, longing, grief, or joy.
Visibility & Awareness: By integrating with a digital platform (QR codes, registration, storytelling, social sharing), Gold Trees Bloom becomes more than a static art piece. It becomes a movement: a visible public statement that “you are not alone,” that others feel too, that mental‑health struggles are common — and normal — and should be met with compassion, not stigma.
Intergenerational Bridge: While youth mental health is the central focus, the themes are universal — adults, parents, seniors all have experienced hardship, isolation, or hope. Gold Trees Bloom invites everyone to participate, bridging generational divides through shared vulnerability.
Sustainable, Growing Impact: The annual “Bloom cycle,” evolving leaves, public participation and renewal makes this project a recurring community anchor — not a one‑time art drop, but an ongoing cultural and social movement that can grow locally and expand globally.

In this way, Gold Trees Bloom shifts from “public art installation” to a living, breathing movement for mental health, empathy, and collective healing.

How the Gold Trees Bloom

From Vision to Participation

To give the Gold Trees a new life—one that could transform with each season—I knew they needed to be more than static sculptures. They needed to invite people in. I began searching for inspiration in public art projects, studying the growth cycles of trees, and exploring how trees have carried meaning in human culture—through religion, folklore, and history.

That’s when the idea of the Bloom emerged. What if the public itself created the bloom of the trees each year? What if this bloom could carry a theme—both deeply personal and universally understood—that allowed participants to see their own reflections in the work, while also contributing to a collective experience? My role as the artist became clear: not to dictate the final form, but to design the framework that allows the public to bring the trees to life, together.

The Modular Leaf Stem System

To make this vision possible, I developed a modular Leaf Stem System—a hand-crafted framework that mimics the delicate veins of a living tree.

Each stem is made from 10- and 15-gauge gold anodized aluminum wire, coiled and wrapped around the metal branches. At the tip of every stem is a gold alligator clip, engineered to gently hold an individual Bloom Leaf in place. Hundreds of stems extend from each tree, each one placed by hand, waiting to carry the public’s contribution. This system transforms the trees into a living canvas—able to grow, shift, and change with the seasons.

The Bloom Leaves

The Bloom Leaves are not simply decorations—they are the heart of the experience.

Each year’s leaves are digitally designed with a unique theme and palette chosen by the artist. Hand-cut and crafted from durable, recyclable, waterproof wood-based paper (created by www.riteintherain.com) they are

double-sided, featuring a public-facing side, where participants write their personal reflections on the year’s theme and a reverse side carrying the Gold Tree City Seal, a dynamic QR code, and installation details.

Bloom leaves are designed to behave like natural foliage, the leaves flutter in the wind, withstand weather but will age with time, and—just like real leaves—can fall to the ground. A fallen leaf can be cherished by the finder as a keepsake or returned to the Leaf Box to “rebloom.” Fresh leaves are added throughout the season, keeping the trees alive, evolving, and never the same twice.

Each Bloom Leaf is hand-numbered by the artist, ensuring that your individual voice is recorded and connected to the collective artwork.

The Leaf Box is replenished in small batches throughout the season, announced in real time via social media. These “refill moments” create a sense of anticipation and spark excitement in the community—reminding everyone that the Bloom is alive and continually renewing.

Creating the Bloom

How To Participate

At the base of each Gold Tree, you’ll find a Leaf Collection Box and a Custom Writing Pedestal inviting you to join the story. Participation is simple, and every step adds your voice to the artwork.

Take a Bloom Leaf Card – Choose one for yourself, or even on behalf of a friend or family member.
Learn the Process – Follow the 4 illustrated steps on the pedestal, or scan the QR code to watch a short animated video from the artist.
Add Your Reflection – Write a brief message, memory, or thought on the Bloom Leaf, inspired by the season’s theme.
Register & Release – Scan the QR code printed on your leaf to register it by number. Then place it into the Leaf Box and watch your contribution become part of the Bloom.

Participants are encouraged to share their experience on social media using #goldtreesbloom —helping the Bloom grow far beyond the trees themselves.

A Living Collaboration

As the season unfolds, the Bloom extends beyond the trees:

A digital collage grows online, blending artist documentation with community-submitted images to capture the evolving story.
Non-local participants can join virtually, making the Bloom a truly global collaboration.
Public commentary is welcomed through the website and social channels, creating a living forum for reflection, connection, and inspiration. Contributions are lightly moderated only to ensure respect and authenticity.

The Gold Trees Bloom because of those who take part. Each leaf is a voice. Each tree becomes a chorus. And together, season after season, we create something greater than any of us could alone.