Girl Scout ornaments in Washington, DC

Jane Hemmer Selected To Create the state of Georgia’s Ornaments

For The 2011 National Christmas Tree Display

Ornaments from all 56 U.S. states, territories and the District of Columbia to be displayed at the 2011 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Local sculptor, Jane Hemmer, with the help and expertise of John Amoss, Professor of Art at Gainesville State College and the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia has been chosen by Georgia’s first lady, Mrs. Sandra Deal, to create the ornaments for Georgia’s tree for the 2011 National Christmas Tree display in President’s Park in Washington, D.C., the National Park Foundation announced today.

A local artist and local youth were selected from each U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia to design and create 24 ornaments.  Twenty-three of the ornaments will be hung from the state or territory tree as part of the National Christmas Tree display in President’s Park.  One of the ornaments will decorate the White House Visitor Center Christmas tree, which showcases one ornament from all 56 states, territories and the District of Columbia.

“The decorating of the state and territory trees in President’s Park is a highly anticipated holiday tradition,” said Neil Mulholland, President and CEO of the National Park Foundation.  “We look forward to including Jane Hemmer’s coordination of the creations of Prof. Amoss and the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia, representing Georgia during the 89^th annual celebration.”

As one of America’s oldest holiday traditions, the National Christmas Tree Lighting began on Christmas Eve in 1923, when President Calvin Coolidge lit a Christmas tree in front of 3,000 spectators on the Ellipse in President’s Park.  Since 1923, each succeeding President has carried on the tradition of what now has become a month-long event presented by the National Park Foundation and National Park Service.  In addition to the National Christmas Tree display, President’s Park hosts a variety of family-oriented holiday attractions, such as the Santa’s Workshop, nightly holiday performances, a Yule log, nativity scene, and model train display. 

“It is an honor to be selected,” said Jane Hemmer, President of Forensic and Fine Artists of Georgia. “I am delighted to have been asked by Georgia’s first lady, Mrs. Sandra Deal, to head up this project.  I am grateful to Dr. Martha Nesbitt, President of Gainesville State College for her aid, and to design creator, Prof. John Amoss, for their willingness to participate in this project.  Also, the help of the Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia is essential in making this ornament project a reality.  Their contribution is particularly important to Mrs. Deal and myself, because this year marks the 100^th anniversary of the founding of Girl Scouts of America by Georgia’s own Juliette Lowe, who was herself a sculptor.”

Mrs. Deal, who is an important supporter of scouting, specifically asked Mrs. Hemmer for her aid because of her awareness that Mrs. Hemmer and Girl Scout founder, Juliette Lowe both loved the art of sculpting.  Mrs. Hemmer was fortunate to have acquired the design talents of John Amoss in creating an ornament that celebrates 100 years of scouting in the United States.

Four weeks of holiday events in President’s Park will kick off with the 89th National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony hosted by the National Park Service and National Park Foundation, the official charity of America’s national parks, on Thursday, December 1, 2011, at 5:00 p.m. EST. This year’s talent line up for the lighting ceremony will be announced in November.  Talent announcements, as well as other event details and a live web stream of the ceremony will be available at www.thenationaltree.org.