Sunday, July 11, 2021 1:00 am
First lady continues china set tradition
Designed pattern herself for latest to be in mansion
NIKI KELLY | The Journal Gazette
INDIANAPOLIS – Back in the 1970s, then-Gov. Edgar Whitcomb picked a china pattern to represent the administration when hosting official events.
It was simple: white with textured designs on the outer edge.
Since then, almost every governor has added his own china pattern – usually chosen by the first lady and coordinating with the state flag colors of blue and gold.
Janet Holcomb went all out when choosing the Holcomb pattern – even designing it herself.
The first lady, who has two art degrees, began sketching one night – trying to mix the state symbols into the pattern. She realized her preliminary drawing looked similar to work by Hoosier artist Walter Knabe, who then jumped on board to collaborate for a final design.