Artist Allison Gobbell invited the community to participate in Trees of Hope, an interactive public art installation celebrating hope, connection, and the collective dreams of the Carpinteria community as part of the Carpinteria Arts Center's 25th Anniversary Celebration. Beginning on July 13th, 2026 and continuing through to the anniversary celebration in September 12th, 2026, Trees of Hope grew as visitors contributed handwritten hopes and dreams to a grove of ethereal white trees adorned with oversized handcrafted flowers. Participants were invited to respond to a simple question: "What brings you hope?” Their anonymous responses were written on hanging cards and added to the trees, gradually transforming the installation into a living portrait of the community. "Hope is something every person carries. Sometimes it is quietly protected, and other times it grows stronger when it is shared. My hope is that visitors will not only contribute to the artwork but also discover how much hope already exists around them" - Allison Gobbell. Inspired by the idea of visualizing an invisible emotion, Trees of Hope imagined a dreamlike place where hope might live. The installation encouraged visitors of all ages to pause, reflect, and become co-creators of the artwork. Throughout the exhibition, hundreds of handwritten messages accumulated, making each visitor an essential part of the evolving piece. The resulting forest became both an artwork and a community archive— a collection of aspirations, gratitude, resilience, and optimism. Known for creating symbolic oil paintings and immersive installations, Gobbell's work explores universal themes of transformation, memory, and human connection. Trees of Hope continued that exploration by inviting the public to become active participants rather than passive observers. Trees of Hope was made possible through the collaboration of the Carpinteria Arts Center and members of the local community.