Ann Garity and Lynn Weyer
Jefferson High School
Wisconsin’s ornament, “Over the river and through the woods…” was designed by Artist Ann Garity and created by Lynn Weyer and her art classes at Jefferson High School in Jefferson, WI. Wisconsin’s recreational assets include more than 14,000 lakes, 2,000 miles of trout streams, and 6 million acres of hunting land. Wisconsin currently operates 48 state parks, 13 state forests, and 5 recreation areas. Our state bird is the robin, tree is the maple and flower is the wood violet. Taking all of these facts into consideration, the concept of our design was born. Using cooper wire, we twisted it into tree forms. The students could choose from shredded watercolors, glass chips or beads to create the foliage on the trees. Each creation had to have a river or stream made by painting in the water then adding rocks, logs etc and finally covering it in silicone that was then tapped, to give the water a realistic look. Other trees and bushes were created using the same wire twisting techniques and added to the scene. Because Wisconsin is beautiful both day and night, a solar light was added to each ornament so it illuminates after the sun goes down.