Kutztown Area High School art students created ornaments for the 2022 National Christmas Tree “America Celebrates” display in Washington, D.C.
More than 2,600 students, ages 4 to 19, participated in the “America Celebrates” ornament program this year. The display features 58 smaller trees that surround the National Christmas Tree with each tree representing a state or territory. A group of 17 students from Kutztown Area High School were selected to design ornaments that prominently hang on Pennsylvania’s tree.
“Every year one-of-a-kind ornaments are made by students, representing every U.S. state, territory and the District of Columbia. These artists gave their time and talents to design and create ornaments that symbolize the history, heritage and culture of their homelands,” said Kutztown Area High School visual arts teacher Benjamin E. Hoffman, Art Club adviser and National Art Honor Society adviser.
Each year, schools have the opportunity to apply online to participate in the ornament program. Through Hoffman’s involvement in the Pennsylvania Art Education Association, he was recommended by the previous school for this opportunity. He coordinated the application with O. David Dietz who is the fine arts education consultant for the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
“Students in the National Art Honor Society and Drawing & Painting Studio were inspired by Pennsylvania state symbols as well as familiar scenes that celebrate rural and historic Pennsylvania,” said Hoffman.
Each student designed a rough draft, considering the natural beauty found throughout the state, highlighting the state tree, Eastern hemlock; state flower, mountain laurel; state animal, white-tailed deer; and even the state dog, Great Dane.
“From the rolling mountains to the cityscapes and even the constellations that will cross over the state’s sky this holiday season, students enjoyed exploring all parts of Pennsylvania together,” he said.
Each state is commemorated by one school from each state or territory. Kutztown Area High School was selected to represent all of Pennsylvania.
Several Kutztown teachers, including Hoffman, traveled to Washington to see the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Dec. 11. The following weekend on Dec. 17, a group of Kutztown art students traveled to D.C. to see their ornaments on display.
“Creating artwork in the classroom is a transformational experience in itself, but having your work visible and on display outside of the White House is an unbelievable opportunity,” said Hoffman. “I hope that students value the natural beauty of our state and the many opportunities that exist for visual artists in the future.”
Students completed their ornaments in October.
“The students are both relieved and excited to have their ornaments complete. It has been challenging to keep this a secret as we patiently awaited the national press release,” said Hoffman.
Students were provided a paper template with specific instructions on what to include in their state’s ornaments. Being that their ornaments would be digitally printed onto PVC weather-resistant disks, the students had the opportunity to use any materials that they would like. Students explored graphite, colored pencil, watercolor, acrylic paint and much more, he said.
“One of my favorite moments from this project was (when I) first announced it to my students. I distinctly remember the enthusiasm of my students and the excitement they showed to be a part of this national celebration,” said Hoffman. “Now that the ornaments have been shared with the National Park Service, they have become a part of their permanent collection and have the opportunity to be used in future displays.”
The America Celebrates display, which surrounds the National Christmas Tree, is free and open to visitors during December.
View the National Christmas Tree and the 58 trees decorated by student-created ornaments through Jan. 1 or visit the President’s Park Facebook page.
Funded by the National Park Foundation, the America Celebrates ornament program is an annual collaboration of the National Park Service, the U.S. Department of Education and the National Park Foundation. Each federal partner worked within their organizations to facilitate the identification of elementary, middle and high schools to participate in the America Celebrates program. For more information visit www.thenationaltree.org.
Source: Berkshire mont
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