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Local Artist Designs White House Ornamet

The lovely Christmas Tree in the East Wing of the White House in Washington DC is decorated with many beautiful ornaments, but none so beautiful as the one that Clayton Artist Cheryl Micaela McCardle designed and painted for the tree.

Her ornament, produced at the request of Congressman Bob Etheridge, features scenes from the Mountains-to-Sea trail presently under construction all over the state.

"This theme illustrates all the wonders of the state," McCardle said. "North Carolina is an amazing state that has something for everyone."

The ornament features images of the North Carolina mountains, with Carolina pines flowing into a Piedmont field, a tobacco barn and the image of a red brick Currituck lighthouse.  

Involvement in community programs has been an important part of McCardle’s life. She is a member of Raleigh's Visual Art Exchange, and has worked with the Johnstonian Visual Artists, Clayton Visual Arts and served as Secretary to the Johnston County Arts Council. McCardle actively participates in local events and works to bring arts' awareness to the community by teaching art and creativity classes in the local area.

“I feel that art should be an ongoing process, never stagnant," she said. "I’m always anxious to learn and experience new things about art. My education continues to expand through drawing, painting and sculpture classes.”

Cheryl and her husband Van recently visited the White House to see her ornament on the tree.

A painter and sculptor, McCardle received a Bachelor's degree in Studio Arts from George Mason University in Virginia, with a focus in painting. The artist’s painting subjects have evolved from traditional landscapes into a contemporary abstract style. Her art has been exhibited in Raleigh and the surrounding area.