Wisconsin Artists Selected to Create Ornaments for 
2002 White House Christmas Tree

At the invitation of First Lady Laura Bush and Governor Scott McCallum, five Wisconsin artists were selected by the Wisconsin Arts Board to create ornaments for the 2002 White House Christmas tree. 

Betty Piso Christenson of Suring is a master at the art of pysanky, a traditional Ukrainian method of decorating eggs. Betty first draws on the egg with beeswax and then dyes the egg in successive colors using wax-resist to achieve the design. In 1996, Betty was awarded the prestigious National Heritage Fellowship Award from the National Endowment for the Arts.

George Ray McCormick of Milwaukee carves award winning basswood figures and low reliefs. He developed his unique style after first sculpting in porcelain. “I wanted to sculpt in wood, and I prayed for God to show me how.” His carving has taken him to festivals in Chiba, Japan; Summerville, Georgia; and Washington D.C.

Elda Schiesser is an award-winning artist of Scherenschnitte, the art of Alpine paper cutting. An avid promoter of Swiss culture in New Glarus, Elda wanted to bring this traditional Swiss folk art to her hometown.  Self-taught, Elda has exhibited at the Museum of American Folk Art in New York, the Swiss National Museum in Zurich, and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington D.C.

Sidonka Wadina-Lee of Lyons is an award-winning master wheat weaver. Growing up in Milwaukee, Sidonka learned traditional Slovakian arts from her two grandmothers. On a trip to Slovakia as a teen, Sidonka first became familiar with wheat weaving and her expertise has grown exponentially from there. She has participated in many local events as well as festivals in Chiba, Japan and Washington, D.C.

Judy Yeh of Neenah learned basic elements of Chinese macramé from her grandmother in Taiwan. As an adult, Judy learned more advanced skills from masters who were reviving the art. Today she creates beautiful designs from intricate combinations of twelve basic knots. In 1999, Judy was honored as a master of Chinese knot tying by the Washington State Arts Commission.

The artists have been invited to a reception at the White House on December 4 to view the displayed ornaments. The artists cannot reveal their designs or the theme of this year’s tree until after the White House announces them in early December.

“The joy and beauty that each ornament brings are gifts to the whole nation,” stated Nancy Clarke, Chief Floral Designer of the White House and staff person in charge of all holiday decorations. 

After their holiday presentation, all of the ornaments included on the 2002 White House Christmas Tree will be placed in the White House ornament collection. A select number of artists from all states, territories, and the District of Columbia were invited to participate.

Contact: Anne Pryor, 608/266-8106
Date Posted: 11/21/02