A mixed-media design in traditional holiday colors by Erin Knocke caught the judges' attention to win the 2010 Holiday Wrapping Paper Art Contest.
More than 1,000 entries were submitted in the annual children's art contest sponsored by the Times Free Press, Allied Arts of Greater Chattanooga and Chattanooga Kids on the Block.
Erin, 9, daughter of Tracy and Jim Knocke of Cleveland, Tenn., receives a $25 cash prize and an Allied Arts prize package.
Additionally, Erin's design is printed on a complimentary sheet of wrapping paper found in today's Times Free Press. The special wrapping paper will be stocked in Kids on the Block's gift-wrapping booths at Hamilton Place.
Erin said all students at her school, Tennessee Christian Preparatory, submitted entries as part of classroom art projects.
"On wrapping paper, there's usually polka dots, stripes or snowflakes. I couldn't decide which to choose, so I just did all of them," said the fourth-grader in Kim Strickland's class.
"She cut patterns out and included those with her drawings, and I thought that was clever," said judge Rodney Van Valkenburg, Allied Arts director of communications and arts education. Also judging entries were the Times Free Press design staff and Carmen Peace of Kids On the Block.
FINALISTS
* Jacob Darnell, 9, Boyd-Buchanan School
* Maggie Eslinger, 10, Tennessee Christian Preparatory School
* Caitlin Holland, 11, Boyd-Buchanan School
* Aidan Nelson, 7, Thrasher Elementary School
* Mary Louise Whitfield, 9, Thrasher Elementary
Allied Arts Prize Package
* Arts and Education Council: Film Club card.
* Chattanooga Boys Choir: Two tickets to the Singing Christmas Tree.
* Chattanooga Girls Choir: Four tickets to Winter Concert.
* Chattanooga History Center: Copy of "Chattanooga Album of Thirty-Two Historic Post Cards."
* Chattanooga Symphony & Opera: Four tickets to "Home for the Holidays."
* Chattanooga Theatre Centre: Four tickets to any production.
* Creative Discovery Museum: Family pack.