Elvis 'Easter Egg' For The White House

[Brian Quinn]

Just found this whilst surfing the Web.


Brian


A president, a pioneer and the King grace state egg
Gallatin woman's work of art is on display at White House

By JENNIFER EASTON
Gannett Tennessee


GALLATIN ?Gallatin artist Vicky Cutrer created a decorated Easter egg for the White House that features three of Tennessee's favorite sons.

Using dental tools and an ordinary hen egg, Cutrer created a design featuring the likeness of a famous person from each section of Tennessee. From the east, there is frontiersman Davy Crockett; from Middle Tennessee, there is President Andrew Jackson; and from the west, there is The King ? Elvis Presley.

"When you're working with an egg, you're only limited by your imagination," Cutrer said.

First lady Laura Bush last week unveiled the White House's annual display of decorated state Easter eggs at the White House Visitors Center, where the display will be showcased for the next four weeks.

"It was such a thrill," Cutrer said about meeting the first lady. "She was so cordial, down-to-earth and just a very sweet person.

"When she saw my egg, she told me about how Japanese Prime Minister (Junichiro Koizumi) came to the States last year, and the first thing he wanted to do was go to Graceland."

'It was truly an honor'

The Tennessee Egg and Poultry Association commissioned Cutrer to create an egg for the White House.

"I really admired her skill. The detail and workmanship she puts into creating a piece of art on such a small canvas is amazing," said Ann Cox, executive director for the association.

Cutrer has been working with eggs for 20 years and has won prizes for her beautifully detailed jewel boxes, decorative ornaments, gazebos and purses made from the eggs of different fowl ? including emus, ostriches and geese.

"I couldn't believe I was chosen. It was truly an honor," Cutrer said.

She began work on the egg last fall, researching the perfect design. "I went to the library and looked through several books on Tennessee," she said.

Cutrer originally planned a design using the Tennessee state flag but decided to focus on the eastern, middle, and western regions of the Volunteer State instead.

"I looked for the perfect pictures, and when I found the right ones, I shrunk them and made a decoupage," she said.

Cutrer, who estimates she has made several hundred decorative eggs over the years, created a prototype of her Tennessee egg to keep for herself.

"I never make the eggs to sell. I do it because I love it. It's a passion, and some day I'll pass them on to my children as heirlooms."

After the Easter season, the eggs will become part of the White House permanent collection and are scheduled to be included in the George W. Bush presidential library.

Other eggs in the White House Easter display include a design of an onion representing West Virginia.

[Tommy]

Thanks for the nice information about the Elvis Easter Egg. I wonder what it looks like

[cprimm]

Here's the link for all the States:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/easter/2007/eggsbystate/#