On Friday, Nov. 28, over 1.5 million Christmas cards bearing a Crawford, Texas postmark were mailed to friends and family of President and Mrs. George Walker (and Laura) Bush, as well as foreign dignitaries. This year's official White House Christmas card was designed by artist Barbara Ernst Prey of Oyster Bay, and depicts the Diplomatic Reception Room of the White House.

The design is a watercolor painting of the fireplace and decorated mantle of the Diplomatic Reception Room during the holidays. The Diplomatic Reception Room served as the furnace room of the White House until 1902; it now serves as an entrance to the White House from the South Grounds for family and visiting dignitaries.

President and Mrs. Bush selected a Psalm and a message of peace for the message inside:

"You have granted me life and loving kindness; and your care has preserved my spirit. Job 10:12 (NASB)

"May you celebrate the joys of faith, family and friendship this holiday season and always. 2003"

President and Mrs. Bush are very familiar with Ms. Prey's work - another one of her paintings is in their collection, on display in the Residence of the White House. The original watercolor painting for the Christmas card will be on display in the Booksellers area during the holiday season.

Ms. Prey was recently commissioned by NASA to do a painting of the International Space Station which is on exhibit at the Kennedy Space Center. Ms. Prey's work is collected by prominent private, corporate, and museum collections around the world. Her paintings are included in public collections such as the Farnsworth Art Museum, Williams College Museum of Art, The Taiwan Museum of Art, the Henry Luce Foundation, and the Reader's Digest Collection. Her work is owned by private collectors including President and Mrs. George W. Bush, former President and Mrs. George Bush, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Luce III, Mr. and Mrs. S. Prosser Mellon, Dr. and Mrs. Jim Watson and Prince and Princess Johannes Lobkowicz.