You are here: Public News  >  Ornaments by Oregon Artists Adorn White House Christmas Tree

The Oregon artists' work will join those of artists from all 50 states, territories and the District of Columbia on the White House tree and be viewed by the visitors who experience the magical display of the holiday decorations. The pieces will become part of the White House permanent collection after Christmas.

Sharon Bronzan, Portland, created a wood and paper ornament representing the Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana), commonly known as "the bluebird of happiness." Impressed by the species' recent rebound, she noted, "I find this bluebird's survival a positive metaphor for the future." Bronzan received a Bachelors of Science degree in painting and drawing, and a Masters in Art Education from the University of Oregon. She taught painting and drawing at Portland Community College from 1973 to 1999.

Japanese-born artist Junko Iijima of Portland finds the custom of decorating a tree for Christmas somewhat foreign but concedes that a bird seems to be an appropriate ornament. Drawn to the Oregon Junco (Junco hyemalis variety Oregonius) by their shared moniker, her ornament consists of a copper frame filled with a variety of birdseed. Iijima received a Bachelor's of Fine Arts in Metalsmithing from the State University of New York at New Paltz, and a Master's of Fine Arts from the University of Oregon.

Ceramic artist Connie Kiener, who works exclusively in the traditional maiolica technique and practiced in Italy's Umbria region, created a birdhouse ornament adorned with the image of the American Goldfinch, also known as Western Tanager (Carduelis tristis). Kiener trained at the Museum Art School in Portland, now Pacific Northwest College of Art, and the Chouinard Art Institute in Los Angeles. Her work has appeared in numerous publications including Better Homes and Gardens.

Hilary Pfeifer's brightly colored Red Shafter Flicker (Colaptes chrysoides) is carved of wood and finished with rubberized paint. She describes her work as a combination of fine art and fine craft. Pfeifer trained at Colby College, Penland School of Crafts, the University of Oregon and Haystack Mountain School of Crafts before receiving a BFA in Metals from Oregon College of Art and Craft.

Portland artist Rebecca Scheer chose the Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) for its plucky character: "resourceful, active and resilient." The small gray bird native to Portland "pecks at crumbs tossed its way, much like the artist." Her bird is crafted from sterling silver, pierced hundreds of times, soldered together, then covered with hundreds of small beaded fine silver wires that shift as the ornament is moved. Scheer attended Cranbrook Academy of Art and received an MFA in Metalsmithing from the University of Oregon.

Heidi Schwegler designed a Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope) of sterling sliver and copper. The bird's copper body was photo etched, hydraulic pressed for its pillow-like form, then heat-treated for color. An adjunct professor in Metals at both Oregon College of Art and Craft and Clackamas Community College, Schwegler's work has been recognized nationally. She earned an MFA in Metalsmithing at the University of Oregon.

Susan Thayer's ornament features Anna's Hummingbird (Calypte anna) hand-painted on a decorative ceramic spoon. Thayer attended Pilchuck Glass School and received a BFA in Ceramics from the Rhode Island School of Design. Her work is shown at numerous exhibitions and has many publications to her credit.

Traditional basketmaker Jiro Yonezawa's "Peace-faced Owl" is a bamboo abstraction of the Short-Eared Owl (Asio flammeus), selected by the artist because it is "a little fierce but with a humorous face." Yonezawa is a graduate of Beppu Vocational Arts Training Center and Oita Prefectural Beppu Industrial Research Institute in Japan. He works closely with the Oregon Folklife Program of the Oregon Historical Society and shows his work at Butters Gallery in Portland.

The Oregon Arts Commission provides leadership, funding and arts programs through its grants, special initiatives and services. Nine Commissioners, appointed by the Governor, determine arts needs and establish policies for public support of the arts. The Arts Commission became part of the Oregon Economic and Community Development Department in 1993, in recognition of the expanding role the arts play in the broader social, economic and educational arenas of Oregon communities.

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Dated for freshness! Page last updated May 02, 2008