By Maureen Vander Sanden
SLN Staff
One of the city’s most pronounced buildings will make its way into hundreds of homes this holiday season in the form of a greeting as the subject of the 2012 Elkhorn Christmas Card.
Elkhorn Area School District’s oldest facility, the 1887 Building, where administrative offices are currently housed, stands proudly on North Jackson Street, peaking through the tree line a few blocks east of the Courthouse Square.
Its history and handsome architecture, according to Elkhorn Area Chamber of Commerce director Chris Clapper was why her board of directors decided the landmark for local learning would be subject of the next card in the organization’s series of 16.
“I think it’s an iconic building in Elkhorn,” Clapper said. “It has so much character and distinction. It was time for it to be done.”
She said the cream city brick building is especially impressive during the holidays when it is lit up with a candle in every window. The real-life, small-town winter scene is a perfect depiction for the popular cards which commemorate the organization’s annually-commissioned Christmas Card Town Painting, she added.
“Red ribbons and scarves,” by Whitewater watercolorist Tim Carson was unveiled during Oktoberfest on Oct. 20.
So far, the piece has gotten great reviews, according to Clapper.
“Everyone who has seen it loves it,” she said.
This year’s painting represents a new page in Elkhorn’s timeless tradition that dates back to more than 50 years.
The 59-year-old self-trained artist is the third painter represented since the cards were first introduced decades ago.
In 1958, New York artist Cecile Johnson was commissioned by the Ford Motor Company to create a series of six watercolor paintings to illustrate an article for the “Ford Times.”
Elkhorn became her inspiration. Five of Johnson’s six paintings were later used by a major publisher as artwork for Christmas cards – cards which were subsequently printed, finding their way into thousands of homes worldwide.
Five of those early paintings are currently displayed in the Elkhorn City Hall at 9 S. Broad St.
Three decades later, Jan Castle Reed was selected to carry on the revived tradition, executing 14 different snow scenes around the city. The Chamber commissioned her oil works annually, donating each painting to the Matheson Memorial Library where they are on permanent display today.
The oil painter completed her last piece for the Chamber in 2010, before retiring.
Last year, the Chamber paid tribute to one of her most popular paintings in the series by reprinting “Christmas at the Webster House,” with a softened look for the 2011 card.
This year’s painting shifts back to watercolor as a medium, but appears unified with previous works, according to Clapper.
The artist says: “It’s a little bit whimsy, it’s a little bit reality.”
Carson is a full-time architect at Angus Young in Janesville. He said his job doesn’t allow him to get too creative, so painting has become his creative outlet.
However, he does credit his background in architecture to his artistic ability.
“My knowledge in that field has helped me capture the realistic properties of structures in my paintings,” Carson explained.
When he got word the Chamber was looking for an artist to capture the 1887 building, he eagerly got to work researching the school and submitted a sketch and proposal for his 16-by20-inch watercolor that was ultimately selected among four others.
In just nine days, the artist brought his sketch to life, painting the historic building as it would have looked more than a century ago, before it lost its bell tower which now sits between the 1887 Building and Jackson ElementaryX.
The moon-lit scene, he describes as “muted with blue-grays and brown-grays,” has more vibrant colors in the smaller details.
“It started out an architectural piece with a Christmas component, then is became less of an architectural piece and more a Christmas scene,” he said, describing the details he added in the holiday decorations, figures and trees.
“I felt the sky in general turned out well, I like doing night scenes,” he continued. “There’s a small child walking down the street with his father carrying the Christmas tree, and he’s turned watching others build a snowman. It’s one of those things I like the feel of.”
Carson said he was thrilled about being selected to complete this year’s painting.
“It was really great to have the opportunity to even be considered,” he said. “The fact that I was chosen made me feel good. I was quite honored.”
Carson said he hopes to see the tradition continue and would appreciate being commissioned for future projects.
“Elkhorn is a delightful community. It has a lot going for it, and this is a great tradition,” he added.
Carson’s painting is on display at the Chamber office, 203 E. Walworth St. His cards, as well as previous cards are available for purchase at the office for $10 for 10. Cards can also be purchased at Pharmacy Station, 3 E. Geneva St., and Friends on the Square, 41 N. Wisconsin St., and Perk Up, 27 N. Wisconsin St.
