Sept. 10, 2012
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — West Virginia artists of all ages are invited to create ornaments for the second annual “artistree” at the Governor’s Mansion this upcoming holiday season.
Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin plan to showcase the artwork to everyone who will visit the mansion during the holidays.
Artists throughout the state are encouraged to hand craft ornaments suitable for hanging on a 14-foot tree. Ornaments made for each year’s tree will be kept at the Governor’s Mansion for future use.
Participating artists also will be featured in a commemorative catalog and invited to an opening celebration at the mansion.
Last year 84 artists from across the state submitted 113 ornaments that will again grace the first family’s tree along with the new submissions.
The first lady said she was inspired by the tremendous creativity of last year’s artists.
“The beautiful wooden, glass, clay and textile ornaments that we received are part of a really unique West Virginia collection,” said First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin. “I can’t wait to see what our artists share with us this year.”
Submissions, which are due by Nov. 23, must include a short biography of the artist and a description of the ornament. Submission forms are available on the West Virginia Division of Culture and History’s website at www.wvculture.org/arts/artistree, the governor’s website at www.governor.wv.gov, the first lady’s website at www.firstlady.wv.gov or at the Culture Center at the State Capitol Complex in Charleston.
Ornaments can be mailed to the attention of Glen Reed, director of operations, West Virginia Governor’s Mansion, 1716 Kanawha Blvd. E., Charleston, W.Va., 25305. They also can be hand-delivered to Jeff Pierson, director of arts for the West Virginia Division of Culture and History, at the Culture Center.
For more information, contact Pierson at (304) 558-0240 or at jeff.a.pierson@wv.gov.
The West Virginia Division of Culture and History is an agency within the West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts with Kay Goodwin, Cabinet Secretary. The Division, led by Commissioner Randall Reid-Smith, brings together the past, present and future through programs and services focusing on archives and history, arts, historic preservation and museums. For more information about the Division’s programs, events and sites, visit www.wvculture.org. The Division of Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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