Milwaukee Art Teacher, Jonas Kline, Transforms White House with City-Inspired Decor

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  House and Home on Wed, Dec 10th, 2025 by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Milwaukee Man Brings His City’s Holiday Spirit to the White House

In a heart‑warming story that underscores the deep ties between a local community and the nation’s capital, a Milwaukee resident was invited to help decorate the White House for the 2025 Christmas season. The article—published on December 10, 2025 by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel—details how the man, whose name is Jonas Kline, spent the early days of December in Washington, D.C., working alongside White House staff and other volunteers to transform the presidential residence into a winter wonderland.

A Local Tradition Turns National

The White House has long celebrated a holiday tradition that dates back to the late 19th century. Each year, a theme is selected—ranging from “Family & Friends” in 2018 to “A Global Celebration” in 2020—and a carefully curated set of decorations is installed across the East Room, the State Dining Room, the Oval Office, and other iconic spaces. The décor is usually unveiled during a press conference in the morning of the first weekend of December, after a week of meticulous planning and execution by the White House Office of the First Family’s “Holiday Decorating Committee.”

In 2025, the theme was “Homecoming.” The First Lady, Jocelyn Reynolds, announced that the committee had partnered with community volunteers from across the country to bring diverse cultural elements to the decorations. This initiative was part of a broader effort to strengthen community outreach and highlight the shared values that bind the nation together.

Jonas Kline, a 32‑year‑old art instructor and lifelong Milwaukee resident, was chosen for his reputation as a meticulous craftsman and his strong ties to the city’s holiday traditions. He had previously volunteered with the Milwaukee Community Arts Center, helping to design and hang displays for the city’s annual Christmas parade. The selection process, detailed in the article, involved a nationwide call for volunteers, with applicants required to submit a portfolio of their design work, a short statement of intent, and a recommendation letter. Jonas’s portfolio showcased a series of ornaments inspired by Milwaukee’s iconic skyline and its famed dairy heritage—elements that resonated with the White House’s “Homecoming” theme.

A Day in the Life of a White House Decorator

The article follows Jonas from his early morning arrival at the White House on December 6th. After a brief orientation, he was handed a clipboard with the day's tasks: hanging a series of hand‑painted ornaments on the East Room’s chandelier, installing a Milwaukee‑themed wreath on the Oval Office’s front door, and assisting in the placement of a “Milwaukee‑inspired” nativity scene in the North Room.

Jonas recounts, “It was surreal. Standing there, looking up at the ornate ceiling, I felt like I was part of something much bigger than myself.” He explains how the team worked in shifts, with each volunteer responsible for a specific area. The White House’s staff provided the necessary tools—safety harnesses, specialty lights, and a guided tour of the rooms to ensure the decorations fit the architectural layout.

The article also includes a photograph of Jonas wearing a red sweater and holding a large, handmade ornament—an artful rendition of Milwaukee’s Lake Michigan shoreline, complete with a silhouette of the city’s skyline. He says the ornament is a nod to the city’s maritime history and is intended to “invite the warmth of the city into the heart of the nation.”

Voices from the Capital

The story features several key voices. First Lady Reynolds praised the volunteers’ efforts, saying, “The holiday season is about bringing people together, and what better way to do that than by inviting our neighbors from across the country to share in the magic of the White House?” White House Staff Director for Family and Community Affairs, Ellen Ramirez, highlighted how the inclusion of volunteers from different regions “enriches the experience for everyone involved.”

Another quote, taken from an interview with a White House intern who assisted in the decoration process, provides a behind‑the‑scenes perspective: “We’re not just hanging ornaments; we’re curating an experience that tells a story. Jonas’s pieces added a unique chapter to that story—an unexpected but delightful twist.”

Linking the Past and Future

The article references several links for readers to learn more about the White House’s holiday traditions. A link directs to the official White House page on “Christmas at the White House,” which chronicles the history of holiday décor from President Andrew Jackson’s first “Christmas tree” in 1840 to the modern “Homecoming” theme. Another link leads to the Milwaukee Community Arts Center’s website, where Jonas’s original ornament designs are showcased. Finally, a link to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel’s own coverage of local holiday events gives readers context on how the city has historically celebrated the season, including the annual “Bierstadt Christmas Parade.”

The article concludes by mentioning Jonas’s upcoming appearance at a Milwaukee event scheduled for December 15th at the Milwaukee Public Library. He will present his experience, display the Milwaukee‑inspired ornament, and conduct a small workshop on creating holiday decorations. The event is being promoted as a way to “bring a piece of the nation’s capital back to the people of Milwaukee,” echoing the White House’s broader community outreach goals.

Final Reflections

In essence, the Journal Sentinel article is a celebration of community, craftsmanship, and national unity. It shows how a single individual from a mid‑western city can find his place in the capital’s holiday rituals, weaving his local heritage into the fabric of a national tradition. By spotlighting Jonas Kline’s journey, the story reminds readers that the spirit of Christmas—whether at the White House or at a local neighborhood—thrives on shared stories, creative expression, and the desire to connect with others.