Seasons Greetings from The Asbury Park Boardwalk

The Asbury Park Boardwalk and the Wooden Walls Project invite the community to celebrate the 5th anniversary of The Giving Tree—the 22-foot sculptural installation that has become one of Asbury Park’s most unique holiday traditions.
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What began as an experimental idea has evolved into an iconic seasonal centerpiece, perfectly in step with Asbury Park’s long history of artistic innovation. From its earliest days as a cultural destination to its current creative renaissance, Asbury Park has always embraced the imaginative, the unexpected, and the boldly original.
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Crafted entirely from cardboard—a material that, in its purest form, is recycled—the tree’s curved, stacked layers unfold into soft, flowing shapes reminiscent of curling holiday ribbon or draped fabric. Its form echoes the rhythm of ocean waves just beyond the Convention Hall and mirrors the building’s Beaux-Arts ornamentation.
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This year’s design marks another evolution in the collaborative practice of its creators, the internationally exhibited and locally based artist Porkchop and Asbury Park artist Bradley Hoffer. Their shared explorations in form, movement, and layered construction take new shape in this sculptural work—reflecting how creative practices naturally expand across mediums, much like the city it honors.
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For generations, Asbury Park has been a place of reinvention, experimentation, and artistic expression. The Giving Tree continues that legacy by offering a holiday symbol that is anything but traditional—yet unmistakably Asbury Park- our City by the Sea: imaginative, sustainable, inclusive, and boldly original.
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Photo by Melissa Lawlor

Lighting by Jason Dermer and Asbury Audio

Words by Jenn Hampton of Wooden Walls Project