Christmas ornaments of yesteryear were primarily plastic bells and brightly colored glass balls. But, no more.

Commercial ornaments for the Christmas tree can be found for every age, interest and style –personal, musical and light-ups. And, then there are those special ornaments –those that are designed and created for a special purpose.

And, that’s the kind of Christmas ornaments the Johnson Center for the Arts offers its patrons each year. Artists including Charles Adams, Mary Ann Casey, Cal Breed, Walter Black and Tara Sartorius have created Christmas ornaments for the JCA.

Local artist Ruth Walker is the creator of the JCA’s 2017 Christmas ornament.

“This special ornament features a computer-generated drawing of the Holman & Ethel Johnson Center for the Arts,” said Wiley White, JCA exhibition coordinator. “Ruth is an extremely talented artist and graphic design artist. The ornaments are beautiful.”
The limited edition ornament was created by a special computer process in which Walker develops drawings that compare in every way to pen and ink drawings.

“Once the design is completed, according to the specific requirements of a company that specializes in customized ornaments, the designed is stamped on a porcelain ‘plate’ that is rimmed with 22k gold and a red ribbon is added,” White said. “The 2017 Christmas ornament will be a permanent reminder of the Johnson Center which was organized in 2000 and of the former Troy Post Office circa 1910.”

The back of the JCA ornament features historic information about the cultural arts center.

The boxed ornament also includes information about the artist Ruth Walker of Troy, whose desire to be an artist surfaced when she was a young child.

Walker was assistant director in the Creative Services Department at Troy University. Her talents and experiences were valuable tools in the areas where drawing, illustration and graphic design were required. She was asked to paint several portraits that hang on campus.

As computer graphics became available, Walker began to develop line drawings that compared in every way to the pen and ink that she had been using. She retired in 2000.

“Ruth was very gracious is donating the drawing of the Johnson Center for our 2017 ornament,” White said. “This ornament is the first in what will become a collection of ornaments that depict other downtown buildings.”

The limited edition JCA ornaments are $25 and may be purchased at the Johnson Center, 300 East Walnut Street in Troy. Ornaments may be reserved by calling the JCA at 334-670-2287.