Special ornament now announced

The North Dakota Council on the Arts announces their fifth annual special edition ornament which is now available for purchase.

Vida Klocke, the owner and operator of Vida’s Collectibles in Underwood, was commissioned by NDCA to create a one-of-a-kind, porcelain ornament. Klocke holds a degree in commercial art and graphic design from Alexandria and Detroit Lakes, Minn.

She returned to North Dakota and became a freelance commercial artist. China painting began as a hobby in 1981 and quickly blossomed into a home-based profession.

Vida’s Collectibles originated in 1990. As a member of Pride of Dakota, she currently markets a line of hand-painted china to gift stores throughout the state. Her pieces are in collections across the U.S. and many foreign countries.

The fine art of china painting was developed centuries ago. Each piece of porcelain is freehand sketched, hand painted and then fired to about 1,400 degrees to acquire its permanent surface. Most pieces need several paintings and firings because the porcelain absorbs only a small amount of china paint at each firing. More color must be added and fired again to obtain the depth needed to bring out the design. The art of china painting allows the artist to achieve a translucent effect on porcelain as it is his or her canvas. Each piece is an original painting. Because each piece is free-hand painted, each one is unique.

This ornament offers the opportunity to purchase a unique, hand-made Christmas decoration and/or gift, while investing in the arts across the state. Limited quantities will be available for $25 plus tax (includes gift box, shipping additional). Ten dollars from each ornament can be used as a tax-deductible donation to the North Dakota Cultural Endowment Fund, as proceeds will benefit this Fund, which was created by the state Legislature in 1979 to assist NDCA in providing artistic opportunities for citizens throughout the state of North Dakota.

For more information, visit http://www.nd. gov/arts/whatsnew/11Special-Edition-Ornament. html. To purchase a special edition ornament, call 701-328-7590.

Tags: in the area, diversions, ornaments