Lord Baltimore Hotel is bringing back its annual Couture Tree Competition this holiday season and is currently seeking decorative designs from businesses, nonprofits and individual artists across Baltimore and beyond. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Lord Baltimore’s partnership with the Baltimore City, serving as its Triage, Respite and Isolation (TRI) Center, this year's Couture Tree Competition will be held exclusively online and, therefore, accessible to a much broader audience.
Those interested in participating in the competition must submit an original design sketch for consideration by November 15, 2020. Although there is no limit on participants for this year’s virtual competition, only the top designs will be selected by the Hotel’s internal jury to participate in the final competition.
Selected participants will then decorate the trees at the location of their choice and submit a photo that will be “on display” on the Hotel’s Facebook page. The general public will have the opportunity to view all designs and vote on their top tree between December 1 and 14.
“Although we cannot come together in person this year to celebrate the holiday season, it is important that our holiday tradition continues and provides an opportunity to spread some holiday joy while showcasing craftmanship of the participating artists, businesses and nonprofits,” said Onahlea Shimunek, general manager for the Lord Baltimore Hotel.
The designers of the winning trees – one for the tree designed by an individual or business and one for the tree designed by a nonprofit organization – will announced on the Hotel’s social media channels on December 15, 2020. Winning designers will each receive a prize of $500.
Designs should be emailed to ljohnson@
Important Dates:
Design Submissions For Consideration Due: By November 15
Entries Due: By November 30
Public Voting: December 1-14
Winners Announced: December 15
About Lord Baltimore Hotel
The Lord Baltimore Hotel is located at 20 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD, 21201 in the heart of downtown Baltimore and within walking distance to many local attractions. Recognized by the Historic Hotels of America as the “Best City Center Historic Hotel” in 2014 and one of the “10 Best Historic Hotels” by USA Today in 2015, the hotel towers over the Baltimore skyline at 23 stories and offers 440 new guest rooms and suites, more than 20,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space, and various dining options. Additionally, art plays a major role in the hotel design with more than 2,500 pieces of artwork displayed throughout the building. Originally built in 1928, the hotel was purchased in 2013 and completely renovated by Rubell Hotels. The Lord Baltimore Hotel is a member of Historic Hotels of America, the official program of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. More information on the hotel can be found at www.lordbaltimorehotel.com.
