Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin and First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin unveil the ceramic doll that was hand sculpted by artist Ping Lau.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A new artwork is joining the distinguished line of West Virginia first lady ceramic doll creations.
The First Lady Joanne Jaeger Tomblin doll was unveiled during a ceremony Thursday in the Culture Center Great Hall. The doll is the most recent addition to an exhibit of dolls resembling West Virginia’s first ladies throughout the years.
The newest doll will eventually be displayed along with others in an enclosed glass case in the Culture Center second floor balcony. From now through the end of March the doll will be on display in the theater gallery on the first floor of the Culture Center.
The first lady is amazed with the replica of herself created by Washington, D.C., artist Ping Lau.
“It is such a strange feeling to have something created in the likeness of yourself,” Joanne Tomblin said. “It is also an honor. It represents history. West Virginia first ladies play an important role when their husbands are governors.”
The first lady doll project began in 1976 when Charleston ceramic artist Edna Henderson created 28 first lady dolls for the inauguration of the Culture Center…
