Projects
Beyond the Liberty Tree
The Liberty Tree was an iconic rallying point of the American Revolution and a hallmark of community and commemorative anniversaries from 7776 to the present. Through this Semiquincentennial program titled “Beyond the Liberty Tree” we seek to commemorate our nation’s history and its “promise of liberty” through education and by placing a commemorative tree on North Carolina’s civic spaces and increase ecological and environmental awareness through reforestation programs across areas devastated by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.
Application Deadline: January 15, 2026
Announcement: The project will be managed by the America250 NC Buncombe County Committee and will soft launch in August of 2025 in commemoration of the felling of the original liberty tree in Boston, Massachusetts, by loyalist Nathaniel Coffin in August of 1775. A more public launch will take place on the Anniversary of Hurricane Helene in late September 2025.
Environmental Impact – Nominations for WNC Reforestation Plantings: America250 NC Buncombe County Committee, in partnership with regional, state, and national conservation organizations will be taking nominations and coordinating the planting of 250 trees for every nominated site. Reforestation Tree Plantings will being in the fall of 2026.
Commemorative Impact – Nominations for Landmark Tree Plantings: America250 NC Buncombe County Committee will be accepting nominations for parks, civic and community spaces to receive a commemorative tree planting in 2026. Nominating communities will be responsible for raising funds to support the sponsorship of reforestation planting of 250 trees across WNC. Landmark Tree Plantings will be ceremonially planted in the Spring of 2026. Additional funds may be eligible to underfunded sites.
Educational Impact and Outreach: Working with history organizations from across the state, America250 NC’s ready-made curriculum will be promoted in schools, and will include educational programs on the history of the Liberty Tree.
Artist Competition
The America 250th NC Committee in Buncombe County invites local artists to bring their creativity to the “Beyond the Liberty Tree” initiative – honoring the enduring legacy of liberty through tree plantings across Buncombe County and beyond.
The Buncombe County America 250th Committee invites Buncombe County artists and designers to participate in the “Beyond the Liberty Tree” (BLT) Commemorative Tree Plaque Design Competition. This initiative celebrates the 250th anniversary of the United States by commissioning a commemorative plaque design that honors the enduring legacy of liberty through tree plantings. Submissions will be reviewed by a selection panel representing the Buncombe County America 250th Committee. The winning artist will be commissioned to produce one hundred plaques for installation across Buncombe County as part of the America 250th celebrations.
Submission Deadline: December 15, 2025
Eligibility
Open to Buncombe County resident artists and designers.
Opportunity
Artists are invited to submit a 100-word narrative description and full-size fabricated prototype of their commemorative tree-planting plaque for the BLT Commemorative planting initiative. The top three (3) finalists will be awarded a $250.00 stipend of reimbursement for their design and material costs.
Finalist Award – Contract
The winning artist may, at the sole discretion of America250 NC, enter into a contract to produce 100 commemorative plaques to accompany the 100 BLT commemorative tree plantings statewide. The estimated contract for design and fabrication is valued at $10,000.00.
Timeline
The competition will officially launch on October 28, 2025 at the first America250 NC Buncombe County Public Listening Session.
Celebrate America’s 250th anniversary in Buncombe County by creating a commemorative tree-planting plaque design that captures the spirit of North Carolina and the resilience of the American spirit.
Applicants must submit an email stating their intention to participate no later than November 28, 2025 to info@buncombe250.org
Prototype submissions and accompanying narrative must be dropped off no later than 3pm on December 15th, at 1 Village Lane, Suite 1 Asheville, NC 28803. The A250 NC selection panel will review all entries and announce the three finalists, and winning entry on or before December 22, 2025.
A contract will be awarded to the winning artist for the production of 100 commemorative plaques to be fabricated by the artist and delivered to America250 NC by March 15, 2026.
Production Expectations
The selected artist will enter into a formal contract with America250 NC no later than January 15, 2026, and should be prepared to begin production immediately upon notification. The artist will be responsible for producing and delivering the 100 plaques no later than March 15, 2026. Applicants are asked to carefully consider their production capacity when submitting proposals to ensure timely and high-quality completion of all pieces. The estimated contract costs for design and fabrication of the 100 plaques shall not exceed $10,000.00.