Contributed by Charice Chambers
Local artist Cindy Pendleton has quite a following, especially at Christmas time when she unveils her latest Alaskan holiday greeting card. Often featuring her favorite subjects: Alaska’s children, these cards are a much-awaited part of the Christmas season. Like much in her life, there’s a story behind their inception.
Pendleton’s family has a long history of diabetes. In the late 90’s Pendleton discovered that the American Diabetes Association had an annual holiday card design competition for artists who were either diabetic themselves, or from diabetic families. The winning cards were to be produced and sold in the ADA holiday catalogue to raise funds for research. Pendleton’s mother had delt with type two diabetes for several years making the artist a candidate for the competition. Watercolor has always been Pendleton’s favorite medium. She is entranced by “the freshness and immediacy of transparent watercolor”, so she rendered a signature Pendleton Alaskan design in watercolor. It depicted kids decorating the antlers of a very patient caribou. Though Pendleton has captured a variety of images on canvas, she is best loved for her favorite subject: Alaska’s children which she always presents in a light hearted and loving manner. This design was no exception, and soon “Oh Christmas Tree” graced the pages of the national ADA Christmas catalogue. Raising over $25,000.00 in funds for research, it was a resounding success!
Following her success, Pendleton submitted another design the following year. Unfortunately, the second design did not meet with success. Though disappointed, Pendleton realized that she might produce a card locally, and raise funds for a favorite charity donating the profits to them. So began her annual Christmas card project. It’s been nearly 20 years, and she is still at it! According to Pendleton her project allows a charity to get a nice donation without having to do the hard work of fundraising and people can purchase a quality card knowing that the money they have spent will go to a good cause. She experiences great satisfaction that her artwork generates good for her community. “It’s a win, win, win.”
Pendleton’s 2022 design, “A Northern Noel,” features a snowy Alaskan landscape with Madonna and child, wrapped in a fur trimmed robe attended by woodland creatures. As always, Pendleton has donated profits to a charity close to her heart: The Salvation Army’s McKinnell House. The shelter provides a safe haven for single parents who have no other means to care for their children. It is the only program of its type in Anchorage that provides such shelter to single fathers and their children as well as single mothers and their offspring. This is a very special donation for Pendleton. In her early thirties, Pendleton found herself single with two young children to support. She was saved by her education; her family was left intact. Looking back on that time, she realized that she was “a whisper away from being homeless.” She is incredibly appreciative of programs such as McKinnell House, and the Salvation Army “Earth Angels” whom she admires and thanks for their help and dedication to the needy and homeless in our community,
All of Pendleton’s Christmas cards share one unique feature. They are all blank inside. For those who prefer a pre-prepared greeting, she has provided a copyable insert. This may provide a bit of an art project for the whole family or a way to give each card the sender’s unique stamp! In addition, each card includes unique information about the card’s subject, the charitable organization receiving funds from the sale of the card and why it was chosen, and a bit about the artist as well.
A wide variety of both Pendleton’s Christmas card collections and other prints, stickers, and cards may be found at Matsu Senior Services Gift Shop, 1132 S Chugach Street (across from and adjacent to Palmer Junior Middle School). Open Tuesday through Friday from 10 am to 2 pm, the shop may be contacted at 907 745-5454 for questions and special holiday hours.