The Making of the Museum’s Origami Holiday Tree

Tuesday, November 23 10:31 am

Bearing postmarks from all over the world, the stacks of boxes that cramped the office of Origami USA bore unusual and exquisite gifts. They included a spaceship, a dog sled, and a glittering hammer. The non-profit organization had asked its members–who live as far away as Brazil, Japan, and India–to begin folding the paper models in July. By early November, ornaments were pouring in.

The theme of this year’s 13-foot tree is Discovery, featuring paper creations that evoke a dinosaur dig, the Museum’s exhibition Race to the End of the Earth, and the 10th anniversary of the opening of the Rose Center for Earth and Space. The tree is located in the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Hall on the Museum’s first floor.

Ros Joyce, a Museum volunteer who also sits on the executive board of Origami USA, heads the holiday tree effort. “Origami USA’s mission is to share origami through many avenues,” she says. “And one great avenue is the tree that we set up for the Museum.”

In addition to creating the origami decorations for the holiday tree, which has marked the start of the holiday season at the Museum for more than 30 years, Origami USA will be on hand throughout the season to teach visitors of all ages the art of origami paper folding.

Watch a video about the making of the Origami Holiday Tree: