Dr. Leo Twiggs, S.C. State professor emeritus and distinguished artist-in-residence at Claflin University, was nominated by James E. Clyburn, U.S. House majority whip, to design his second ornament for the White House Christmas tree.

A reception for artists, selected from each of the 50 states, was held Tues-day at the White House. First lady Laura Bush, who created the project, was host of the reception.

In September, the White House sent a six-inch-round silver ornament to each artist to decorate. The design had to display a red, white and blue theme and represent the artist’s state or region.

Twiggs designed an American flag that flows around the ornament to form the letters “SC” on one side and a silhouette of the state painted in indigo blue with crescent moon and palmetto tree on the other. Some areas were left unpainted to reflect the tree lights.

In 2001, then-Gov. Jim Hodges nominated Twiggs to design an ornament for the White House. That ornament was a miniature replica of the dilapidated Benjamin Mays House in Greenwood County. The ornament received national attention, and the Mays House was eventually moved to the city of Greenwood and restored.

Twiggs’ 2008 ornament, like the earlier one, will become a part of the White House permanent collection.

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