Volunteer to paint trees for the temporary art installation The Blue Trees in Houston (March 21 to 23, 2013) and Galveston (March 28 to 30, 2013).

That’s right. Houston Arts Alliance and Galveston Arts Center need your help to bring the vision of Australian artist Konstantin Dimopoulos to life. Get your painting clothes ready and sign up help paint city trees blue.

Dimopoulos debuted this stunning concept in Melbourne, Australia in 2005. He’s since brought it to select world cities, perhaps most notable was its appearance in Vancouver during the city’s 200th birthday celebration in April 2011. In addition to creating a striking piece of temporary art, Dimopoulos said his intent was to draw to the global deforestation of old growth trees.

“The fact that blue is a color that is not naturally identified with trees suggests to the viewer that something unusual, something out of the ordinary has happened. It becomes a magical transformation,” said Dimopoulos. “Trees are largely invisible in our daily lives, and it’s not until it’s too late that we realize how important they are to us both aesthetically and environmentally.”

With the help of volunteers (that could be you), trees will be painted with biologically-safe, water-based ultramarine mineral pigments. They’ll start out vividly bright, and then fade away completely by the fall.

It is free to volunteer (no cost or payment to you) and the weather will be great.

Houston

In Houston, the trees selected for the azure treatment include the large stands of crepe myrtles between Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive at Waugh Drive, the trees at the historic Houston Parks and Recreation Department Gragg Building, and a lone tree at the Houston Arts Alliance offices. A few volunteer (no charge and no compensation) painting shifts still remain for Thursday, March 21 through Saturday, March 23.

Houston Arts Alliance will host Dimopoulos at an Opening Reception on Wednesday, March 27 from 6 to 7:30pm, at the Alliance Gallery at 3201 Allen Parkway, Suite 125.

Galveston

In the Oleander City, Dimopoulos will work with local volunteers to paint trees at Saengerfest Park at 23rd and Strand on Friday, March 29 and Saturday, March 30.

Galveston Arts Center will welcome Dimopoulos at the close of the day’s painting on Saturday, March 30 at 6:30pm at the National Historic Artist Lofts at 2221 Market Street. Dimopoulos will speak at 7pm.