Staff Photo by Dan Henry / The Chattanooga Times Free Press- 11/28/16. Wrapping paper contest submissions form the background for designer Lin Parker in the Chattanooga Times Free Press newsroom on Monday, November 27, 2016. Ms. Parker coordinates the contest. Grab your markers. Get set. Draw!
The Times Free Press' annual Wrapping Paper Design Contest is underway, this year honoring its founder, Lin C. Parker, who died in September.
A tradition since 2002, the contest is open to any elementary school student in grades 1-5 (one entry per child). Judges will be looking for bright colors and an original design that lends itself to a repeating pattern. You may use paint, crayon, chalk, markers, pens, construction paper or other creative materials.
The winning design will be printed as a real sheet of wrapping paper that runs in the Times Free Press on Dec. 10. The design also will be available as a gift-wrapping choice in Kids on the Block wrapping stations at Hamilton Place mall from Dec. 8 through Christmas Eve.
Ten finalists will be chosen for a Readers Choice contest, in which readers can vote for their favorite at www.timesfreepress.com from Nov. 29 through Dec. 5. Finalists will be displayed in an art exhibit at the Creative Discovery Museum.
But the key date to remember is this: You have until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, for your entry to be received.
Use an 8 1/2- by 11-inch piece of unlined paper, and include the child's name, age, address, telephone number, grade, school and teacher's name on the back.
Mail or hand-deliver to Wrapping Paper Contest, Chattanooga Times Free Press, 400 E. 11th St., Chattanooga TN 37403.
The winner will receive a cash prize of $25 plus an arts package and goody bag from co-sponsors ArtsBuild, Chattanooga's Kids on the Block, Creative Discovery Museum.
Questions? Call Sara Jackson at 423-757-6594 or email at saraj@times freepress.com.