Award-winning tablescapes: Wichita Habitat for Humanity’s triumph at Mark Arts Holiday Tables

Every year, Mark Arts hosts the anticipated Holiday Tables exhibit, and this year, Wichita Habitat for Humanity is proud to share that we have secured the prestigious 2025 1st Place Exhibitors Choice Award for our display, “Rooted in Holiday Spirit.” The winning design, a collaborative masterpiece by a dedicated team including Christine Moser, Katie Frank, volunteers, and our ReStore Wichita team, brought the theme of a woodland Christmas to life, showcasing not just holiday elegance but a powerful message of sustainability.

Most elements of the display were thoughtfully sourced from donations to the ReStore or eStore (ReStore Wichita’s new online shop), vividly illustrating the creativity and immense potential found in giving new life to gently used items. The centerpiece of the exhibit was the exceptional vintage lighting fixture: an original Torch Cut Brutalist Chandelier by Tom Greene for Feldman Co. This remarkable piece, currently available for sale on the ReStore eStore, exemplifies the hidden treasures awaiting discovery in our stores.

Crafted by Tom Greene, a master of Brutalist style lighting and sculptures during the 1960s and 1970s, the chandelier features a unique, textured, and dramatic metal design using an oxyacetylene torch to cut and heat brass and bronze. This mid-century treasure measures approximately 23” high and 27” in diameter and it is in good working condition.

Such vintage features, with their powerful yet delicate design, offer a captivating warmth during the holiday season that contemporary fixtures often cannot replicate. The intricate brass of this chandelier is designed to cast a spectacular, inviting glow, effortlessly transforming any space into a magnificent setting for holiday gatherings.

The tablescape itself blended nostalgia and optimism, curating moments that evoke their cherished traditions of the past, the warmth of the present, and the promise of celebrations yet to come, inviting visitors to reflect on the enduring spirit of the holidays. Ultimately, just as the ReStore transforms donated goods into opportunities that support affordable housing, this award-winning design powerfully demonstrates the beauty and impact revealed when community, imagination, and generosity come together to build hope in the Wichita community.