Submitted photos
Christiansburg resident and artist Vanessa Tegenkamp’s tree ornament was selected to represent the town on this year’s holiday tree at the Executive Mansion in Richmond.
With scenes of downtown, the Christiansburg Farmers’ Market, Starlite Drive-In, the Historic Cambria Depot, Christiansburg High School, the Montgomery Museum and the Lewis Miller Regional Art Center, Christiansburg resident Vanessa Tegenkamp’s unique ornament has been selected to represent the town and hang on this year’s Holiday Tree at the Executive Mansion in Richmond.
This is the third consecutive year that the Executive Mansion has invited Virginia counties, cities and towns to submit ornaments to hang on the Holiday Tree. This year, the Town of Christiansburg held a contest to find an ornament that best represents our community.
Tegenkamp used a six-sided, wooden square and burned iconic Christiansburg images into each side. On her submission form, she described her ornament and how it represents Christiansburg in this way: “Not a city, not quite a small town, Christiansburg is something better. It’s a community with multiple facets, whether it’s gathering to celebrate its history, heading to the market to buy or sell, seeing a modern movie at the drive-in, taking in festivities on Main Street, or getting involved in our kids’ schools, Christiansburg gifts residents with many choices to be a part of its community.”
Thousands of visitors from across the country tour the Executive Mansion each holiday season and view the ornaments. Thanks to Tegenkamp’s creative take on what makes our town special, thousands will learn more about Christiansburg’s past and present this winter.
