LEWISTON — Volunteers recently gathered to cut and assemble ornaments for the Museum L-A holiday tree, which will be displayed at the upcoming FEZtival of Trees, opening Friday, Nov. 16, at the Kora Shrine Temple.

In keeping with Museum L-A’s exhibits and collections, the ornaments’ designs are inspired by the local mills and shoe shops and the people who worked in them, with many incorporating authentic materials from those industries. They also reflect the spirit of creativity – then and now.

A selection of these ornaments will also be available for purchase at the museum’s store. 

Project coordinators Elaine Toutain and Linda DeSantis, both retired art teachers, designed and created the ornaments.

Among the designs are 3-D paper ornaments that display Bates bedspread designs; “icicles” made from shoelaces, paper bead and felt garland with Bates Mill cotton thread; silver “snowflakes” based on the design of loom gears; and paper doll figures outfitted as millworkers.

A mill cupola, once a familiar part of the local skyline, served as inspiration for the tree’s topper. A Bates bedspread remnant has been transformed into a tree skirt and stocking.

For more information, including volunteer opportunities, contact Diane Williams at Museum L-A at 333-3881 or [email protected]. Museum L-A is located at in the Bates Mill Complex, 35 Canal St., and is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.