Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Seattle ornament banned from White House Christmas tree
Seattle Post-Intelligencer ^ | 12/3/08 | Regina Hackett

Posted on 12/03/2008 8:24:05 AM PST by freespirited

 
 

When Seattle artist Deborah Lawrence was asked to create an ornament for a holiday tree at the White House, nobody familiar with her work could have imagined she'd stick to snowmen, Santa Claus or Mount Rainier bathed in festive red, white and blue.

That Lawrence submitted an ornament with the words "Impeach Bush" on its surface is also no surprise, except to the people responsible for picking her.

  artist
  Zoom Photo courtesy Deborah Lawrence
  Artist Deborah Lawrence holds the ornament that will not hang on the White House Christmas tree.

The 9-inch ball Lawrence created is covered with swirly red and white stripes and features a picture of Democratic Rep. Jim McDermott of Seattle, who signed a House resolution to consider the impeachment of President George W. Bush. Tiny glued-on text on the ornament hails the impeachment resolution.

"I think it really is a shame and, quite frankly, not very much in the holiday spirit," first lady Laura Bush's spokeswoman, Sally McDonough, told The Associated Press.

McDonough said Tuesday that Lawrence's ornament was the only one of about 370 submitted for the White House tree that was rejected. Laura Bush had asked members of Congress to pick artists to decorate ornaments for the White House tree to showcase all 435 congressional districts.

Lawrence, 55, is pointedly political. She's anti-Iraq war, anti-torture, pro-peace, pro-environment, pro-feminism, pro-diversity and pro-spreading-the-wealth. Those aren't just her personal opinions; those are the issues that fuel the paintings she collages with printed messages.

"Her work is all about social justice," said Catherine Person, who exhibits Lawrence's work at Person Gallery in Seattle. "She's the most political artist I know and the most political artist I represent by 100 miles. She's a firebrand. Her last show in September was completely devoted to anti-Bush statements."McDermott, whose office was responsible for the selection of Lawrence, said the ornament's content came as a surprise.

The 370 artists who submitted ornaments were invited to a party Tuesday to see their ornaments sparkling on a cluster of trees on the White House lawn.

Speaking from the reception on Tuesday, Lawrence said she was happy to be admitted.

"I was afraid I'd be blocked at the door," she said, "but here I am. ... There are platters of roast beef, soft drinks and white wine, with a duet of pianists playing Christmas music. Even if my ornament were still here, I wouldn't be able to find it. There are too many. I'd like to get it back, but that's probably not going to happen. I've never seen so many Christmas trees, and I don't like Christmas."

What about the idea that a holiday tree ornament might not be the best way to address political issues?

"When else would I get a chance to do it at the White House?" she asked. "I'm happy (Barack) Obama is going to be president, but we have to hold Bush and (Vice President Dick) Cheney responsible for heinous crimes. If Bush shows up to this event, I'll tell him that. If Laura Bush comes, I'll say, 'I bet you're glad the last eight years are almost over.' "

photo  
Zoom  
Artist Deborah Lawrence's ornament, which will not hang on the White House Christmas tree. Lawrence said that in creating the bulb, she wanted to salute Democratic Rep. Jim McDermott of Seattle, a longtime President Bush foe who backs impeachment. The nine-inch ball Lawrence created features a picture of McDermott, and glued-on text hails the impeachment resolution. (Photo courtesy Deborah Lawrence)  

Lawrence was chosen after McDermott asked Jim Kelly, executive director of the King County Arts Commission, known as 4Culture, to pick an artist. Kelly asked his staff. Heather Dwyer, 4Culture program manager, suggested Lawrence.

Mike DeCesare, McDermott's communications director, said his boss had nothing to do with Lawrence's political message.

"We didn't have a role in this," DeCesare said. "We saw the ornament for the first time Tuesday morning. We agree with the first lady's decision to remove it. The holiday is meant for peace and understanding. We support artistic freedom, but we wake up in the morning like anybody else and say, 'Not today.' "

Lawrence's political views dovetail with McDermott's. He voted to initiate impeachment proceedings against Bush. Plus, the artist sees the ornament as a tribute to McDermott.

Kelly also said 4Culture had no oversight in the creation of the ornament.

"The White House specifically stated that the artists were to have the freedom to produce what they wanted within the theme of red, white and blue, and couldn't show it to anybody before it was shown at the White House.

"If you're asking me if I wished (the artist) had painted a superb view of the Puget Sound, yes, in retrospect I wish that," Kelly said. "But she didn't. In the spirit of the holidays, I support Laura Bush's decision not to hang it. Had the first lady decided to leave it on the tree, I would have supported that, too. This is a big country with a lot of different views. It isn't a bad thing to see some of that diversity reflected in this event."

Dwyer, who picked Lawrence, said she wasn't looking for somebody who would blandly decorate an ornament. She was thinking about artists, not illustrators.

"I suggested her because of her social engagement -- feminism, anti-war, anti-poverty -- and knew she'd think of it as an opportunity."

How about "Impeach Bush"?

"It surprised me," Dwyer said. "I wouldn't have done that if I'd been the artist. Her choice doesn't make things easy for us, but art isn't easy. We select artists based on their accomplishments, and we never tell them what their art should say."



TOPICS: News/Current Events; US: Washington
KEYWORDS: barkingmoonbat; bds; bushhaters; rudedems; treasonart; whitehousexmastree
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120121-138 next last
To: sionnsar

WA ping!


81 posted on 12/03/2008 9:13:20 AM PST by lonevoice (Ich bin ein plumber)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

It’s gonna be tough come January when there will be no ills in this world for her to portray.


82 posted on 12/03/2008 9:18:33 AM PST by CSM (IÂ’m jubilant! Now that the Dems are completely in charge, we can FINALLY blame THEM for everything!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Unfortunately, the stupid witch got just what she wanted - publicity!


83 posted on 12/03/2008 9:20:16 AM PST by KosmicKitty (WARNING: Hormonally crazed woman ahead!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

Leftists are rude, classless and NEVER stop attacking. Will there be repercussions for this incident? No, instead this moonbat will be celebrated.


84 posted on 12/03/2008 9:22:42 AM PST by Hacklehead (Liberalism is the art of taking what works, breaking it, and then blaming conservatives.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SIDENET

You owe me a new keyboard, monitor, mouse, pair of pants and a new shirt! Thanks for the laugh!


85 posted on 12/03/2008 9:24:42 AM PST by CSM (IÂ’m jubilant! Now that the Dems are completely in charge, we can FINALLY blame THEM for everything!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Hacklehead

You know, since he’s already acting like a Pres ... maybe we should start an IMPEACH OBAMA group. Might as well get an early start too.


86 posted on 12/03/2008 9:25:25 AM PST by DHC-2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 84 | View Replies]

To: DHC-2

How about movinonup.org as a replacement for moveon.org


87 posted on 12/03/2008 9:28:20 AM PST by CSM (IÂ’m jubilant! Now that the Dems are completely in charge, we can FINALLY blame THEM for everything!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 86 | View Replies]

To: freespirited
She doesn't like Christmas.
She doesn't like Christmas trees.
She doesn't like President Bush.
So why is she designing an ornament to be put on President Bush's Christmas tree? Most people try to avoid things they don't like.
88 posted on 12/03/2008 9:30:12 AM PST by jmcenanly
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: jmcenanly

“So why is she designing an ornament to be put on President Bush’s Christmas tree? Most people try to avoid things they don’t like.”

Leftists never pass up an opportunity to insult their enemies. Republicans are too clueless to know who their enemies are, and if they did recognize them, would still be courteous. It drives me nuts.


89 posted on 12/03/2008 9:38:18 AM PST by Hacklehead (Liberalism is the art of taking what works, breaking it, and then blaming conservatives.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 88 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

She’s a typical, peace studies, plain and ugly, republican hating, did I say she was plain and ugly? Christmas-hating, Christian hating liberal. Nothing to see here...


90 posted on 12/03/2008 9:42:53 AM PST by Marysecretary (.GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Chandler

Fascists don’t have Christmas trees...


91 posted on 12/03/2008 9:45:37 AM PST by Marysecretary (.GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: freespirited
It probably drives a car like this...


92 posted on 12/03/2008 9:46:26 AM PST by reagan_fanatic (I'll give Obama the same amount of respect the left gave Bush)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SIDENET

It’s what you call a “Ma” haircut, with a bowl on the head to show you where to cut.


93 posted on 12/03/2008 9:47:49 AM PST by Marysecretary (.GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Jeff Chandler

A very wise woman. I do it myself too. LOL.


94 posted on 12/03/2008 9:48:44 AM PST by Marysecretary (.GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 61 | View Replies]

To: reagan_fanatic

I live near a college town and when I went to get my hair done on Thursday, I saw an SUV with a “Cheney, Satan, ‘08 bumper sticker. I would love to have had something to paint it out...


95 posted on 12/03/2008 9:51:37 AM PST by Marysecretary (.GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 92 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

*Lawrence, 55, is pointedly political. She’s anti-Iraq war, anti-torture, pro-peace, pro-environment, pro-feminism, pro-diversity and pro-spreading-the-wealth*

She’s from the Seattle area, so none of this needed to be stated explicitly. It should be assumed.


96 posted on 12/03/2008 9:51:38 AM PST by j-damn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited

I wonder how much Ms. Lawrence receives in federal funding from the National Endowment for the Arts? Bet she wouldn’t think of giving it back, since she is so Anti-American.


97 posted on 12/03/2008 9:52:59 AM PST by cuz_it_aint_their_money (I'll show their president the exact same respect and loyalty that they have shown my president.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: freespirited
Deborah Lawrence = scumbag that probably hates all that's Christmas with a passion.
98 posted on 12/03/2008 9:56:30 AM PST by Trajan88 (www.bullittclub.com)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Red Badger

I wonder which of the genders she is?....


Gender is just a social construct. ;)


99 posted on 12/03/2008 10:07:04 AM PST by BOATSNM8
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 39 | View Replies]

To: reagan_fanatic

Is that a real picture of an SUV with those BUMPER STICKERS??


100 posted on 12/03/2008 10:07:25 AM PST by MaineConservative (Conservatives -- if you want CHANGE run for Congress in 2010!! I am))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 92 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-20 ... 61-8081-100101-120121-138 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson