Tuesday, October 9, 2012

NJ 2012 N'tl. Christmas Tree Ornament Selected

New Jersey First Lady Mary Pat Christie has announced that she has selected Madison-based artist Dan Fenelon, in collaboration with the Morristown High School Arts Mentoring Program, to design and create this year’s official New Jersey state ornament for the 2012 National Christmas Tree display in Washington, DC. Each year, local artists and youth groups are chosen to create 24 ornaments to be featured on their respective State tree during the holiday season.

“Mentoring provides a unique opportunity to help shape the lives of our young people,” said First Lady Mary Pat Christie. “I am delighted that Dan will be sharing his talents and nurturing the artistic skills of the students from the Morristown High School Mentoring Program to encourage their creative expression in the crafting of our New Jersey State ornament.”

Dan Fenelon’s artwork is a combination of pop, cartooning, modernism and tribalism in an array vibrant color. He attended the Arts Student League in New York and the Museum School of Fine Arts in Boston. Fenelon has been commissioned to paint a number of murals, including a 32 foot by 12 foot mural for the Montclair Art Museum in 2009 and a Peace Mural to welcome the Dalai Lama to the 2011 Newark Peace Summit.

The Morristown High School Arts Mentoring Program serves disadvantaged juniors and seniors at Morristown High School, providing the students with an opportunity to learn from professional artists and build their portfolios to further their arts education. Students apply and are selected by committee. For more information, visit http://www.morrisarts.org/programs/mentoring-program/

“It’s an honor to represent New Jersey because we are one of the original states,” commented Dan Fenelon. “The first thirteen will always hold a special place in the heart of America.”

The 90th National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will kick-off four weeks of holiday events in President’s Park in Washington, DC. Events are presented by the National Park Service and National Park Foundation. The exact date of the National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be announced this month.

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