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8’x 4’ (varies) Please inquire to get a quote to have a Clootie Wishing Tree made for your event or special occasion.
Currently on view at the Custom House Maritime Museum yard in Newburyport, MA until March 2022
Steel and fabric
In ancient Celtic tradition, a “Clootie Well” was a holy place. Pilgrims would travel to these wells in hopes of using the healing power of the water to cure ails, leave offerings to their gods or to expect their prayers to be answered. Nearby trees became spontaneous collective memorials where offerings were hung as a representation of their prayer or wish.
When the tree is being activated people are invited to take a clootie rag from the box and write a message or a prayer to someone, a secret or any other type of thought. They then tie it to the branches of the Clootie Wishing Tree. Together these handwritten notes become a visually stunning collage of hopes and dreams. Wherever the tree stands, our collective thoughts will have the power to send these messages to wherever we hope them to go; keeping this Celtic tradition alive!
The Clootie Wishing Tree has been part of several events.
Current:
Elm Park School in Hopkinton, MA (indefinitely)
Custom House Maritime Museum Newburyport, MA
Past:
The Weston United Methodist Church used a Clootie Wishing Tree as a Prayer Tree for their community in the Summer of 2021.
Natick High School for the Class of 2020 used it for their graduation ceremony. It held every name of each graduate and well wishes from their friends and families.
November 2018-December 2018 it was on the Natick Town Common as part of the Creative Placemaking Weekend hosted by the Natick Cultural District.
December 2018 it was also a part of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” . at the Center for Creative Arts in Natick hosted by Spark Kindness
It was on display at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in May 2019 for students to add their wishes to.
September 2019-November 2019 it was in the Hapgood -Wright Forest in Concord MA as part of the 2019Art Ramble hosted by the Umbrella Arts Center
The Clootie Wishing Tree
8’x 4’
Steel and fabric
In ancient Celtic tradition, a “Clootie Well” was a holy place. Pilgrims would travel to these wells in hopes of using the healing power of the water to cure ails, leave offerings to their gods or to expect their prayers to be answered. Nearby trees became spontaneous collective memorials where offerings were hung as a representation of their prayer or wish.
When the tree is being activated people are invited to take a clootie rag from the box and write a message or a prayer to someone, a secret or any other type of thought. They then tie it to the branches of the Clootie Wishing Tree. Together these handwritten notes become a visually stunning collage of hopes and dreams. Wherever the tree stands, our collective thoughts wil have the power to send these messages to wherever we hope them to go; keeping this Celtic tradition alive!
The Clootie Wishing Tree has been part of several events.
November 2018-December 2018 it was on the Natick Town Common as part of the Creative Placemaking Weekend hosted by the Natick Cultural District.
December 2018 it was also a part of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” . at the Center for Creative Arts in Natick hosted by Spark Kindness
It was on display at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in May 2019 for students to add their wishes to.
September 2019-November 2019 it was in the Hapgood -Wright Forest in Concord MA as part of the 2019Art Ramble hosted by the Umbrella Arts Center