Agape' Art Academy student Sophie Perry won the Tennessee's Best of Show in the Federal Jr. Duck Stamp Contest. Sophie Perry, 14, daughter of Shelley and Jimmy Perry of Ooltewah, won the award with her colored pencil drawing of a Northern Shoveler.
Last year Sophie received an Honorable Mention in the same show.
Sophie said, "I can't believe how much better my art has gotten with each year of teaching, yet I'm still surprised to win."
This is a prestigious contest, sponsored by the national government, for which Sophie receives a $1,500 scholarship.
Her duck will be made into a Tennessee Wildlife Stamp. If she wins Best of Show in the country, her picture will be made into a national stamp.
Sophie has been a student with Agape' Art Academy for 3 1/2 years, beginning by taking a summer workshop, at age 11. Sophie continued in the eight-year program that Agape' Art Academy offers for 10-18 year olds, taking Basic Drawing, Basic II and Advanced Drawing. Future classes available to her are Portraiture, Perspective and Drawing People and Animals, as well as three painting classes, Watercolor, Acrylics and Oils. All classes are taught at local Hobby Lobbies.
Agape' Art Academy is a Christian based program. The curriculum at Agape' is designed by
professional artist Karen Anna Barton, BS in Art Education and MA in Drawing and Painting.
She has been a teacher at Chattanooga State and Bryan College, along with having been an
illustrator of Sunday School material at Pathway Press, where she had the opportunity to combine her faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, with her artwork.
Sophie will be honored at the annual award ceremony in Nashville on May 16, along with many other winners from Agape' Art Academy. Since they have been entering, Agape' has had 20-25 percent of Tennessee's winners.
For more information on Agape', "like" them on facebook, or call Karen Barton at 877-2427. They will be at the Homeschool Curriculum fair held at Camp Jordan July 17-18.