Capitol Tree Prints

Tree New Mexico is pleased to present for sale a series of prints created from the 2005 Capitol Christmas Tree Project.

In 1963, House Speaker John W. McCormack suggested to J. George Stewart, Architect of the Capitol, that a Christmas tree be placed on the Capitol grounds. A live 24-foot Douglas fir was purchased for $700 from Buddies Nurseries of Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, and was planted on the West Front lawn. Each year through 1967 this tree was decorated and a tree-lighting ceremony was held. Unfortunately, a combination of factors, including a severe wind storm in the spring of 1967 and root damage, caused the tree to die in 1968. Since 1968, the Capitol grounds tree has been provided by the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture in a different state each year.

In 2005, New Mexico supplied a 65 foot Engelmann Spruce to the Capitol. To celebrate the Capitol Tree, Tree New Mexico engaged New Mexico artists to paint their interpretation of the chosen tree. Four of the artists' paintings appear on our holiday cards. Reprints of other artists' paintings are available for sale, and are listed below.

If you are interested in purchasing one of our Capitol Tree prints, please call (505) 265-4554 for pricing and availability.

Steven Boone “Star of the Evergreen” Oil on linen, 26 x 17 in.	Braldt Bralds “A Tree with Heart” Oil on wood, 15 x 15 in.	Paul Murray “Even Trees Have Dreams” Acrylic on linen, on hardboard, 30 x 24 in.
Official Portrait of the Capitol Holiday Tree 2005 Pola Lopez “Tree of Hope” Oil on canvas, 60 x 44 in.	Dee Sanchez “Jemez Road Trip” Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 30 in.	Marlene Larson “Forest Splendor” Oil on canvas, 36 x 36 in.
Tim Saska “Solstice Sunrise” Acrylic on canvas, 30 x 40 in.	BC Nowlin “The Tree” Oil on canvas, 48 x 36 in.	Mary Thomas “Joyful Tidings” Watercolor on paper, 16 x 11 in.
Shari Griffin “Harmony” Acrylic on paper, 14 x 10 in.	Dan Namingha “Global Peace” acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 in.