Mellon student artist, Elena Redmond presents her replica of the Fort Pitt Blockhouse to Mrs. Mernie Berger from the Carnegie Women’s Committee.

Mellon Middle School student Elena Redmond was selected to create an ornament that will be displayed on one of the Carnegie Museum of Art  Christmas trees from November 29, 2012–January 6, 2013 in the Hall of Architecture. Seven 20-foot Colorado spruce trees will line the Hall of Architecture, each decorated with handcrafted ornaments that celebrate art, culture, and science. This year’s theme celebrates the exhibition Inventing the Modern World: Decorative Arts at the World’s Fairs, 1851–1939 currently going on at the Carnegie.

Elena was asked to create a replica of the Fort Pitt Blockhouse by the Fort Pitt Society, Daughters of the American Revolution for display on one of the seven 20-foot Colorado spruce trees that will line the Hall of Architecture. Each tree will be adorned with handcrafted ornaments that celebrate art, culture, and science. Fort Pitt Society board member and Mt. Lebanon resident, Mrs. Sarah Cannon, thought it would be a wonderful opportunity for a Mt. Lebanon student, so she contacted Mt. Lebanon Fine Arts Department Chair, Ms. Jennifer Rodriguez. Working with Mellon Middle School art teacher Mr. Phil Hessler, 8th grade student Elena Redmond was selected as the artist.

The ornament is an intricately constructed 18”x18” replica of the Fort Pitt Blockhouse, the oldest architectural landmark in Western Pennsylvania. It will be displayed on a tree highlighting important architectural achievements that were featured at the 1876 World’s Fair in Philadelphia.