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CHARLESTON - First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin has unveiled the 2012 West Virginia Governor’s Mansion limited edition holiday ornament during a reception held at the Culture Center in Charleston. First Lady Tomblin, with the ornament’s artist, signed accompanying cards for individuals who purchased the ornament at the event.

This year’s ornament is the third in First Lady Tomblin’s holiday ornament series and is, once again, hand painted by Logan native and Alum Creek, W.Va. resident artist Shelley Goodman. The clear glass ornament features West Virginia’s state animal, the black bear, as well as a golden beehive and buzzing bee.

“I was pleased to be able to work with Tamarack and the West Virginia Division of Culture and History to select these unique ornaments that feature our state’s symbols and also help to raise funds to preserve the Governor’s Mansion,” First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin said.

“Shelley’s colorful, hand-painted ornaments bring our state symbols to life,” Tomblin said. “She is extremely dedicated and pays such close attention to detail, and we are pleased to have her bring her creative touch to this year’s holiday ornament.”

Goodman is a self-taught artist who uses enamel paints to create detailed nature and floral paintings. She most often adds her touch to glassware used in kitchens, but she also greatly enjoys the challenge of designing and executing the Governor’s Mansion holiday ornaments each year. Her works, titled “Designs by Shelley,” are sold at Tamarack in Beckley. Goodman also designed the 2011 Governor’s Mansion holiday ornament featuring the Rhododendron and the 2010 ornament featuring the Cardinal.

The Tamarack Foundation provided a grant to help with packaging the 2012 Governor’s Mansion ornament and Dunbar artist Steve Cassle’s drawing of the Governor’s Mansion is featured on the accompanying ornament card.

This year’s ornaments have a limited edition of 750 and sell for $24.00 each. A portion of each sale will be donated to the West Virginia Governor’s Mansion Preservation Fund to help preserve the mansion for future generations. The ornament is available at the West Virginia State Museum Gift Shop at the Culture Center (304-205-7911) and at Tamarack in Beckley (1-88 TAMARACK) as well as online at the Tamarack web site, www.tamarackwv.com.