2020 First Lady’s Commemorative Egg Unveiled Virtually

The American Egg Board officially unveiled the 2020 First Lady’s Commemorative Egg in a first-ever virtual gallery, due to the coronavirus pandemic, bringing the time-honored Easter tradition to life for all Americans at home.

The 43rd Annual First Lady’s Commemorative Egg design reflects the First Lady Melania Trump’s “Be Best” initiative and pulls inspiration from the children of America’s egg farmers. Using an extra-large chicken egg, the 2020 Egg was hollowed and painted inside in a royal blue paint featuring a carved tree with the words “Be Best” painted in gold inside.

The tree signifies children planting the seeds of personal growth, and three hearts within the foliage represent the Melania’s Be Best three pillars of initiatives — “kindness, positivity, and community” appears on front of the egg in the three hearts in the tree and on the back, with the words spelled out in the gold leaf.

“The First Lady’s Commemorative Egg from America’s egg farmers is a time-honored tradition dating back to 1977, and we are thrilled to keep the tradition going while we celebrate Easter at home this year,” Anne L. Alonzo, President & CEO of the American Egg Board said. “But this year will be a virtual unveiling at https://www.incredibleegg.org. Egg lovers can explore the historical significance and artistic design of the First Lady’s Commemorative Eggs online and may even want to create your own First Lady’s Commemorative Egg and share it on social media using #IncredibleEgg!”

The three artists who collaborated to help bring this year’s egg to life egg are Quentin Oliver of Rockford, Ill., who created the design, award-winning Salt Lake City egg artist Brian Baity who carved and painted the egg and Laura J. Schiller, of Westminster, Colo., who created the polymer clay book that represents the endless potential of America’s children.

Without the presentation at the WH and the annual Easter Egg Roll happening this year, the American Egg Board, on behalf of America’s egg farmers, officially unveiled the annual egg via a digital gallery which includes photography from the previous years’ stunning commemorative Eggs as well as behind-the-scenes footage.

The tradition of the commemorative egg being presented to the WH dates back for 43 years, with the first one in being given in 1977 when it was presented to then-first daughter Amy Carter. Because this year’s White House Easter Egg Roll was canceled, it was unveiled digitally and will be sent to the White House this week.

About the First Lady’s Commemorative Egg Annual Tradition
Each First Lady’s Commemorative Egg is crafted by a specialized egg artist who is typically a member of the International Egg Art Guild and given as a gift from the American Egg Board on behalf of America’s egg farmers. Eventually, these eggs may be housed at respective presidential libraries, as administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. In some cases, these pieces of art become part of the first lady’s personal collection.

Previous First Lady’s Commemorative Eggs have reflected the passions of America’s first ladies and their initiatives, such as the promotion of literacy or the importance of family and American traditions. The artist also leverages his or her own unique talents and skill, including egg etching or egg carving.

For history about the First Lady’s Commemorative Egg, Easter facts, egg decorating tips and recipe ideas, visit IncredibleEgg.org.