First Lady’s Egg

The creation of the 34th Commemorative Egg by artisan, Luanne White Faulkender, was presented by the American Egg Board to the First Lady, Michelle Obama, April 25, 2011.

After being requested to create a commemorative egg for the First Lady, I wanted something very special and it was suggested that it depict one of the interests that she supports. I chose military families. American soldiers and their families are dear to me and many Americans. And, I am a member of one!

In that vein, it had to be very American, include God, show a sampling of our military families that transcend races as well as gender while acknowledging the five branches of our military, include the red, white and blue colors of the flag of our nation and feature the symbol of our country–the bald eagle. Above all, I wanted it to be interactive—thus the three doors.

The large chicken egg is finished in gold leafing with Swarovski’s aurora borealis crystal and pearl chain. Each door has a latch with a pearl dangle on the end of a tiny chain that slips over a hook when closed. A lovely picture of Michelle Obama is framed on the outside of the center door with the National Military Family Association logo placed on the door to her left  and the five branches of service patches are on the door to her right. Each door opens with pictures of two military families.

The finial is created with a sterling silver and gold bald eagle’s head, aurora borealis crystal, red white and blue ribbons with “GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY FAMILIES” written on them.

It is mounted on a gold stand that sits on a corian base with gold corded trim.

The commemorative egg took approximately sixty-five hours from concept to finish.

PRESS RELEASE (White House photos are forthcoming)

Park Ridge, Ill. (May 2, 2011) – The American Egg Board (AEB) continued its tradition of supporting the White House Easter Egg Roll by donating 14,000 hard-cooked and dyed eggs for April 25’s event. Volunteers also received hats and aprons from AEB. America’s egg farmers enjoyed an INCREDIBLE presence at the 133^rd White House Easter Egg Roll! This year’s theme “Get Up and Go!” focused on promoting health and wellness.

To kick off the event, thousands of people stopped by the Incredible Egg Chair to take their pictures before heading to the South Lawn. They also walked away with “Be Incredible!” magnetic picture frames that included hard-cooking tips, and by the end of the day, all 5,000 magnets were gone.

On the South Lawn, the Giant Good Egg Project Egg stole the show! Kids were invited to “lend a hand to feed the hungry” by placing their handprints on the 8-foot tall 3D-egg sculpture. Each handprint resulted in an egg donation to Feeding America. Throughout the day, families took their picture in front of the biggest “dyed” egg of the day.

Nearby, the World’s Fastest Omelet Maker Howard Helmer cooked his signature 40-second omelets at the Kids’ Kitchen station, where celebrity chefs including Art Smith and White House chef Sam Kass were cooking. Even Michelle Obama got on stage to talk about healthy eating.

Behind the scenes, AEB chatted with President Obama, Mrs. Obama and his family while presenting the 2011 Commemorative Egg. AEB’s Chairman Craig Willardson, president and CEO, Moark LLC, Fontana, CA, spoke with President Obama about eating the whole egg, and the President informed AEB he now eats the yolk! AEB also talked to First Lady Michelle about her “Let’s Move” campaign and the importance of eating an egg breakfast for all-day mind and body energy.

The 34^th Commemorative Egg was presented to First Lady Michelle Obama on behalf of America’s egg farmers by Willardson. Atlanta artist Luanne White Faulkender, president and CEO, Theatre Techniques for Executives LLC, created the 34^th Commemorative Egg that took 65 hours to create from concept to finish. Belonging to a military family herself, Faulkender depicted military families, a cause close to Mrs. Obama, on the egg.

This large chicken egg is finished in gold leafing with Swarovski’s aurora borealis crystal and pearl chains. A picture of Mrs. Obama is framed on the outside of the center door with the National Military Family Association logo placed on the door to her left  and the five branches of service patches also appear. The finial is created with a sterling silver and gold bald eagle’s head, aurora borealis crystal and red, white and blue ribbons with “God Bless our Military Families” written on them.

For more information on the American Egg Board, visit AEB.org. To contact Faulkender, please call 770.913.0400, and to learn more about Mrs. Obama’s efforts to end childhood obesity, visit LetsMove.gov. ###