Rix's egg has been sent to the American Egg Board, which will work with the White House in creating the 2007 Easter Egg Display. One egg from each state and the District of Columbia will make up the display.

To create her depiction of Nebraska, Rix used the old Ukrainian egg decorating technique of a dye/wax relief (batik) method commonly used in Pysanky. Featured on the egg was a "Cornhusker Quilt" representing calicos of cows, corn, Chimney Rock, Sandhills Cranes and Arbor Day trees, with prints of pioneers, pigs and patriotism to honor the heritage of Nebraska.

Rix's egg was chosen from an assortment of eggs entered by amateur Nebraska artists. Second place went to Veronica Kiuntke of Columbus. Depicted on her acrylic painted egg was the Villasur Massacre that occurred in 1720 near the confluence of the Loup and Platte rivers near Columbus. The figures painted on the egg were from the oldest known painting of a Nebraska subject (on three buffalo skins).

Third place went to Jennifer Bartling of Fremont. "Nebraska, The Heart of the Heartland" was the theme of her egg that depicted the world, and featured Nebraska in the heartland of America. The entire egg was decorated in lace.

Each artist decorated a large, blown-out chicken egg to depict special feature(s) of Nebraska. In this and previous years, artists adorned eggs with painted and dyed landscapes and symbols as well as grains, beads and feathers. The entries were displayed for public viewing and voting at the University of Nebraska State Museum in Morrill Hall, in Lincoln during August and September.

The White House Easter Egg Artistry Contest has been an annual event. The Poultry and Egg Division of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the American Egg Board, hope to sponsor the contest next year.

To view photos of the 2006 White House Easter Egg Display that includes decorated eggs from around the country, visit the White House's web site at: www.whitehouse.gov/easter/2006/eggsbystate/index.html

First Place - Carolyn Rix, Fremont A "Cornhusker Quilt" on this Pysanky egg represents calicos of cows, corn, Chimney Rock, Sandhills Cranes, and Arbor Day trees, with prints of pioneers, pigs, and patriotism to honor the heritage of Nebraska. Using this Ukrainian tradition, the egg is dyed in a series of hot wax applications and dye baths.

Second Place - Veronica Kiuntke, Columbus The Villasur Massacre that occurred in 1720 near the confluence of the Loup and Platte rivers near Columbus is depicted on this acrylic painted egg. The figures shown are from the oldest known painting of a Nebraska subject (on three buffalo skins). Figures include Pedro de Villasur, commander of the Spanish expedition, a Spanish priest, and a Chief Scout.

Third Place - Jennifer Bartling, Fremont "Nebraska, The Heart of the Heartland" is featured on this egg made in lace. The ocean areas are a hand-knitted lace; the areas of land, plus the North and South Poles are needle lace.

Other Entries

Pat Ruge, Walthill Acrylic paint and glitter adorn this egg that represents a Yellow School Bus. Franklin, Nebraska, native Frank W. Cyr, organized the first conference on Standards for School Transportation and led him to be known as the "Father of the Yellow School Bus."

Joy Carey, Omaha An ear of corn, one of the most important crops in Nebraska.

Sandra Erickson, North Platte Strips of fabric are glued on this egg to give the mock affect of a quilt, and the egg is featured in the International Quilt Study Center.

Photos taken by Vantage Imaging