MOULTRIE — The 2009 Moultrie Christmas Ornament commemorates Moultrie’s sesquicentennial while being a first of its kind in the annual ornaments.

The design on the ornament features the courthouse cupola and the Canopy of Lights, drawn by local freelance artist Andrew Underdown. The ornament is the first ever to be in full color since they were started in 1989.

Underdown said he chose to do the canopy because it is a symbol of Moultrie and should be featured on the ornament. It took him about two days to draw the cupola and canopy and a couple of hours to do the digital coloring for the final draft.

Upon seeing the final product on the ornament, Underdown said he thought it came out really nice. He found out about the need for an artist because no one had volunteered to do this year’s design, so he contacted Amy Johnson and said he would do it.

“It sounded like a fun project,” Underdown said.

A freelance artist and graphic designer, Underdown said he has done several projects around Moultrie since moving here from Savannah. He has done various paintings, T-shirt designs, magazine designs and layouts for businesses and individuals, and his artwork has been featured in Moultrie Technical College television advertisements. He graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design with a degree in sequential art in 2008.

Johnson said the ornaments are available now for $10 each at downtown merchants, and people are encouraged to get them soon. Only 800 of the ornaments were ordered, and they are expected to go quickly due to the significance of celebrating Moultrie’s sesquicentennial and being in full color.

Underdown will also be available to sign the ornaments during the Lights! Lights! Thanksgiving Night celebration on Thursday, Nov. 26. He will be at Bella Maison Interiors, located on South Main Street.