Salem Students Design Ornaments For Washington D.C. Christmas Tree

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Artwork created by 21 students from Salem's Arts Academy of New Hampshire is being featured on the New Hampshire Christmas tree located at President's Park in Washington D.C. this winter.

The tree is one of 58 representing U.S. states and territories that adorn the walkway surrounding the National Christmas Tree.

The ornaments are part of the America Celebrates ornament program, which is an annual collaboration of the National Park Service, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Department of Education.

For the New Hampshire tree, upperclassmen from Arts Academy of New Hampshire were tasked with creating unique pieces of art that celebrate the state's most appealing features.

Students used different mediums — paint, photography, drawing — and created images featuring beaches, mountains, trails, purple lilacs (state flower), and the purple finch (state bird).

The finished images were then sent digitally to the National Parks Service, which printed the images on the plastic disks that were used on the New Hampshire tree.

"The students were very excited to have this unique opportunity," said Frank Sharlow, co-director and art teacher at Arts Academy of New Hampshire. "I told the group to think about what they truly love about New Hampshire and its scenery, and I also told them that this is the time to shine, and to showcase their best work. I am thrilled with the outcome"

The Arts Academy of New Hampshire was one of just 58 schools nationwide chosen to design ornaments for the trees, which include art from 2,600 students.

"These (Arts Academy of New Hampshire) students should be extremely proud of their artistic accomplishments. It is an honor to have New Hampshire's young talent featured in such a prominent and joyous festivity," said Frank Edelblut, commissioner of the New Hampshire Department of Education.