White House to feature ornament by local artist

A local artist is having her painted Christmas ornament featured at the White House on Tuesday.

First lady Laura Bush asked members of Congress to pick artists to decorate ornaments for the tree. The ornaments are supposed to feature something special about each congressional district.

Congressman Jim Ramstad selected Courage Cards artist Berta Zimdars of Stillwater to paint the ornament.

Zimdars painted an ornament featuring the Minnesota wildesness, starry skies, northern lights, timberwolves and children.

"Art is a celebration of possibility for me," says Zimdars. "It is a focus on the positive and a reminder of challenges. I have always made things as a way of experiencing life. My goal is to put something in the world that would not be there if I had not lived. With my work, I try to offer people a heaven, a place of joy. Through art, I celebrate!"

Zimdars, who has arthritis and fibromyalgia, is a long-time artists for Courage Cards but her artwork also graces the front lobby of Courage Center Burnsville's pediatric clinic.

At a Holiday Open House on Tuesday, First Lady Laura Bush invited Zimdars to the White House but she was unable to attend. In her place, Andrea Engler, executive assistant at the Courage Center, represented Zimdars.

Check out our KARE family of Web sites:
	takeKARE		Metromix
	Moms Like Me		Minnesota Bound
	Showcase Minnesota