Town of Abingdon Submits Ornament for Governor’s Mansion Tree

Town of Abingdon Submits Ornament for Governor’s Mansion Tree

Virginia Localities Gather Ornaments for Holiday Tree

Each year the Virginia Municipal League gathers ornaments from nearly 200 localities across the state to be displayed on the Holiday Tree at the Governor’s Mansion. This year’s theme for the 2016 Holiday Tree is “Home for the Holidays.” The tree will feature works of art that celebrate the unique history and culture of the towns and cities that they represent. The localities are asked to submit one handcrafted ornament that is distinctive to their community.

This year Sara Reese, a local artist at the Arts Depot, created the 2016 Abingdon ornament. The ornament includes historic buildings, music notes, and artistic elements. Each of these components shows how important history, arts, and cultures are to Abingdon. “It was an honor to create the ornament for the Governor’s Mansion,” said Ms. Reese. “All of the things included in the ornament make Abingdon a very special place- a great place to visit and a great place to live.”

“The Arts Depot, established in 1990, has been an asset to Abingdon and a diamond of the arts community,” said Mayor Cathy Lowe. “Sara Reece, one of the resident artist’s at the Arts Depot, is widely recognized for her pottery and creative designs. I proudly display one of her pieces in my own home. We are privileged to have her art and her studio in Abingdon’s downtown. Art, in many forms, is one of the components of Abingdon’s culture that makes us unique. We are truly blessed to have the Arts Depot and the talented artists as part of Abingdon’s art community.”

The Holiday Tree will be on view to the public throughout the holiday season and will be seen by thousands of visitors to the Executive Mansion. This project is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate what makes each Virginia city, town, and county special. For more information on the Holiday Tree and the Executive Mansion, visit www.executivemansion.virginia.gov.

*Also attached are pictures of the 2015 Abingdon ornaments that were submitted. The wolf was handcrafted by John Dickens, and the Santa was handcrafted by Mark Blevins. Both are members of Holston Mountain Artisans.

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