𝗗𝗘𝗖𝗞 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦: Anthony Schmitt Brings Holiday Cheer to Santa Monica’s Shopping Cart Tree

SANTA MONICA — Monday, November 9, 2026 — A longtime Main Street holiday tradition is taking shape once again as artist **Anthony Schmitt** and his longtime assistant **Scott Frentrop** spent Monday morning decorating the iconic Shopping Cart Tree on the lawn of the California Heritage Museum in Santa Monica. Now in its second year at the museum, the nearly 20-foot-tall holiday installation features 57 bright red, child-sized shopping carts arranged into a Christmas tree. The sculpture previously stood for decades in the courtyard of the Edgemar Center for the Arts before relocating to its current location in 2025. Schmitt expressed his appreciation for the installation's former home while celebrating its return to the museum grounds. He said the red shopping carts have returned for a second consecutive year, with the finishing touches of lights and ornaments bringing the sculpture to life for the holiday season. The installation is a two-person undertaking, with Frentrop assisting Schmitt in assembling, securing, lighting, and decorating the structure. Frentrop has worked on the Shopping Cart Tree for approximately eight years, becoming an integral part of the annual holiday project. Unlike previous versions of the sculpture, which reached approximately 35 feet and required larger construction crews, the smaller installation allows Schmitt and Frentrop to complete much of the work themselves. According to Schmitt, assembling the tree took approximately three and a half days, followed by another three days installing the lights. The pair are now completing the final decorative elements, including ornaments collected throughout the installation's history. Schmitt also reflected on the engineering behind the unusual structure, crediting the architectural firm Pugh + Scarpa with the original design and structural engineering. He recalled that the project was among architect Pugh's favorites and described how the shopping carts are securely connected, allowing the crew to climb and stand on the structure during installation. Beyond its unusual construction, the Shopping Cart Tree has become a recognizable part of Santa Monica's holiday history. Schmitt recalled hearing from a young adult who remembered being photographed with the tree as a baby. "My mom took a picture of me when I was a baby," Schmitt recalled the visitor saying. For the artist, such encounters demonstrate how the installation has become part of the personal memories of generations of Santa Monica residents and visitors. The Shopping Cart Tree carries a message extending beyond its holiday appearance. Schmitt has long described the shopping cart as a symbol of contrasting experiences, representing both prosperity and hardship. While some shoppers fill carts with groceries and gifts, others rely on shopping carts to transport their personal belongings. The installation invites viewers to reflect on abundance, generosity, homelessness, and the different circumstances experienced by members of the community. Last year, Schmitt selected **"transformation"** as the theme for the red Shopping Cart Tree, reflecting its relocation, redesigned structure, and the opportunity for renewal. The sculpture also incorporates ornaments and decorations dating back approximately 30 years, preserving memories of individuals who contributed to the holiday tradition over the decades. The project has historically received support from the Main Street Merchants Association and local community partners. Schmitt said this year's tree-lighting ceremony is planned for Saturday, December 5, the first Saturday in December. Festivities are expected to begin in the late afternoon, around 4 or 5 p.m., with Santa Claus possibly arriving aboard a fire truck. Final event details have not yet been confirmed. Community members interested in supporting the installation can make donations to Anthony Schmitt through **Zelle at 424-385-7569**. The same number is being provided for those interested in entering a drawing for a miniature Shopping Cart Tree. Additional drawing details were not specified. The Shopping Cart Tree has become a fixture of Main Street's holiday celebrations, combining public art, community participation, and seasonal tradition in one of Santa Monica's most recognizable annual installations. Santa Monica Closeup continues documenting the city's seasonal traditions, local artists, and community events throughout the holiday season.