FRANKFORT, Ky. -- Four Kentuckians, juried members of The Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, received national recognition at the White House, Washington DC, for handcrafted ornaments they submitted for the White House Christmas Tree. The theme for this year's White House Tree is "Home for the Holidays," and four artists from each of the 50 states were asked to create an ornament representing an historic home in their state.

The four historic ornaments that were handcrafted to represent Kentucky are: Lincoln's birthplace, by Debbie Klempner, New Castle; Centre Family Dwelling, Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, by Debby Meyer, Louisville; My Old Kentucky Home, Bardstown, by Judy Geagley, Tollesboro; and the Lt. Governor's Mansion, Frankfort, by Nell Dieterle, Hawesville.

Special Project Coordinator, Vallorie Henderson, Kentucky Craft Marketing Program, headed the project between the White House and Kentucky. The artists were invited to an afternoon reception to meet Mrs. Bush and to view the White House decorations; all four artists from Kentucky attended. Each artist was presented a full color photo book of the 2002 White House decorations signed by President Bush.

Participants' contact info:

Judy Geagley
Rt. 1, Box 90A
Tollesboro, KY 41189
(606) 798-3901
judyskc@hotmail.com

Debby Meyer
5012 Cliffwood Road
Louisville, KY 40222
(502) 339-1360
debby.meyer@worldnet.att.net

Nell Dieterle
P.O. Box 595
Hawesville, KY 42348-5266
(270) 927-8923
ndieterl@bellsouth.link

Debbie Klempner
P.O. Box 585
New Castle, KY 40050
(502) 845-4953
Kwoodworks@aol.com

Due to security issues this holiday season, the usual tours of the White House are not being offered to the public. Therefore, the White House has produced a video tour featuring Mrs. Bush that is available for viewing by visitors to the White House.

The Kentucky Craft Marketing Program (KCMP) is a state agency in the Kentucky Arts Council, Education, Arts & Humanities Cabinet, Commonwealth of Kentucky. For more information on KCMP, call 888 KY CRAFT (592-7238,) ext. 4817; or visit the Program's site at www.kycraft.org.

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Since 1981, the Craft Marketing Program's mission is to develop the state's craft industry, support and empower Kentucky artisans and craftspeople, create an economically viable environment for craft entrepreneurs, preserve the state's craft traditions, stimulate and support product development, and generate public awareness, public support and public/private partnerships. The Program provides assistance to Kentucky residents, individuals, or groups wanting to develop as craft professionals through economic opportunities and training, to other outside entities (e.g., craft retailers, craft and art organizations, community and government agencies), and the general public.