Schools

Ellington Students Illustrate White House Christmas Book, Invitation

The tour invitation and book for the 2012 White House Christmas Decorations features colorful illustrations.

Nine students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts have their work featured in the 2012 White House Christmas decorations tour book. This is the second year in a row that Ellington art students have had their illustrations used for the White House Christmas decorations book and invitation.

"When the efforts of young people are celebrated and highlighted as the White House has done for our students on this national platform, then, I believe, more people can begin to appreciate the value and the positive qualities of what public education can produce," wrote Duke Ellington Head of School Rory Pullens in an email to Patch.

Last year the process was open to students from several local art institutions, like the Corcoran and the School Without Walls. Ellington students had some work in the tour book and one student, .

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This year the White House asked Duke Ellington to provide multiple students to do the entire holiday tour book and official invitation, according to Mike Easton, chair of Visual Arts (VA) at the school.

Easton said the school's participation means "We are fulfilling the mission in the VA department."

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Easton said the VA students toured the White House and took on assignments. Then a panel at the White House reviewed their submissions and selected illustrations for the tour book and the invitation.

The White House chose 17-year-old senior Adela Guiterrez's illustration for the official holiday invitation and 17-year-old senior Darius Moreno-Dozier's illustration for the cover of the tour book.

"This experience has increased their confidence and exposed them to the reality of being a working professional artist. All thanks to the White House and the professionals who assist the first family with projects like this. It is truly a dream come true for not only the students, but the faculty as well," said Easton.

The illustrations in the booklet, which is available online as a PDF, were drawn by: Diona Boler, 17, Rhythm Bowers, 16, Evelyn Cahall, 17, Darius Moreno Dozier, 17, Zoe Gatti, 16, Massiel Estefany Gonzalez, 18, Adela Guiterrez, 17, Glenda Gutierrez, 17, and Nathaniel Oliver, 16.

"This exposure is a testament to the hard work, preparation, talent, and commitment of the entire Ellington educational community and it was our honor to represent us all," wrote Rory Pullens.


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