FIRST LADY TOMBLIN INTRODUCES 2013 GOVERNOR’S MANSION HOLIDAY ORNAMENT

 Ornament features Sugar Maple leaves and Monarch Butterfly
First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin today introduced the 2013 West Virginia Governor’s Mansion limited-edition holiday ornament during a reception at the Culture Center in Charleston.   This year’s ornament is the fourth in First Lady Tomblin’s holiday ornament series and is hand-painted by Logan native and Alum Creek resident artist Shelley Goodman.  The clear glass ornament features three leaves from West Virginia’s state tree, the Sugar Maple, as well as an elegant rendition of the state butterfly, the Monarch.
“It was a pleasure working with Tamarack and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History again this year. It is always exciting to help Shelley choose the design for the ornaments and decide which state symbols will be featured each year,” First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin said.  “Shelley has a wonderful way of bringing our state symbols to life through her colorful artwork.  She is extremely dedicated and pays such close attention to detail, and as always, we are honored to have her bring her creative touch to this year’s holiday ornament.”
Goodman is a self-taught artist who uses enamel paints to create detailed nature and floral paintings. She most often adds her touch to glassware used in kitchens, but she also enjoys the challenge of designing and executing the Governor’s Mansion holiday ornaments each year.  Her works, titled “Designs by Shelley,” are sold at Tamarack in Beckley, and at many of West Virginia’s most popular fairs and festivals throughout the year.  Goodman also designed the 2010 Governor’s Mansion holiday ornament featuring the Cardinal, the 2011 ornament featuring the Rhododendron and last year’s ornament featuring the Black Bear and Honey Bee.
The Tamarack Foundation provided support for the Governor’s Mansion ornament with a grant that helped with packaging. Dunbar artist Steve Cassle’s drawing of the Governor’s Mansion is featured on the ornament card.
This year’s ornament sells for $24.00. A portion of each sale will be donated to the West Virginia Governor’s Mansion Preservation Fund to help preserve the mansion for future generations. The limited-edition ornament is available at the West Virginia State Museum Shop at the Culture Center (304-205-7911) and at Tamarack in Beckley (1-88 TAMARACK) as well as online at the Tamarack website, www.tamarack.com.
First Lady Tomblin and artist Shelley Goodman present the 2013 Governor’s Mansion limited-edition holiday ornament at the Culture Center. The limited-edition Governor’s Mansion holiday ornament features three leaves from West Virginia’s state tree, the Sugar Maple, as well as the state butterfly, the Monarch. Photos courtesy of Tyler Evert, West Virginia Division of Culture & History