MOULTRIE – Since 1989, it’s been a Colquitt County tradition to have a town square Christmas ornament for sale at the Lights Lights event and at local shops during the holiday season.

The initial one was the Courthouse Cupola, designed by Mitchell Smith, and since then 25 artists have left their mark in the town’s history.

Fielding Thomas is number 26.

“I saw the post on Facebook asking for artists to give their submissions,” said Thomas. “My grandma is actually the one who was telling me I needed to do it, so I gathered a couple pieces and submitted them.”

Thomas is a 27-year-old Moultrie native, who just moved back to the county last year.

“It was exciting when I got the call and they asked me to design the ornament,” said Thomas. “They’ve done it for so long, and it was really nice to be a part of something like that.”

It wasn’t just getting her design picked that made the moment so special.

“I help at the family business, Tallokas Road store,” said Thomas. “A big part of the store is Christmas time because we always sell a lot of ornaments, and it’s become special.”

Now, Thomas will always be part of the store’s tree, which features the downtown ornaments.

“I always enjoy seeing our tree full of them every year,” said Thomas. “To be able to combine my love of art with these ornaments is special.”

Though her degree from Georgia Southern isn’t in the industry, Thomas has always been artistic.

“I’ve always loved art ever since I was little,” said Thomas. “I’ve always done classes at the art center and all through middle school and high school.”

As with most artists, Thomas has the medium that is most comfortable to her, but she isn’t exclusive.

“I do a lot of painting,” said Thomas. “But I’m always trying different types of art.”

Thomas has even taken part in specialized summer programs.

“In high school I did a fashion sketching class,” said Thomas. “It was through a college art and design program and it was a week long where we got caught by the professors.”

Pencil is the tool Thomas chose to create the design for this year’s ornament.

“I thought that is what would look best with a building like this one,” said Thomas.

The 2023 Moultrie ornament features Griner’s Jewelry Co., which opened its doors on the square in 1979.

“My grandma was really excited when she found out that was the building I would be drawing,” said Thomas. “She is really good friends with the Griners and has lunch with them, so it makes it extra special that theirs was the building I got to draw.”

Thomas hopes designing the ornament will only be the beginning.

“I’ve really been enjoying art again more recently and have been getting back into it,” said Thomas. “This ornament came at a good time because I’m hoping to do more commission pieces in the future.”

Thomas already has several orders in progress.

“I’m really excited to already be doing some commissioned pieces,” said Thomas. ““I have a couple pieces I am working on that will be Christmas presents — one of them is an oil painting of my niece.”

Portraits of people aren’t the only ones Thomas will be offering.

“Pet portraits is something else I really enjoy doing,” said Thomas. “And that’s something people always like getting, painting of their pets.”

There is one last type of project Thomas hopes to specialize in with her commissioned pieces.

“I also really enjoy architecture,” said Thomas. “Taking a meaningful building to someone, like their house, and creating a piece for them.”

The goal is to have her artistic ability become Thomas’ way of sustainment.

“Recently I’ve been able to enjoy and explore more of what I want to do,” said Thomas. “I think offering commission pieces is a good place to start.”

During the Lights Lights event, Thomas will be at Griner’s from 6-7 p.m., signing ornaments and answering questions about her art.