Paris, Tenn.–They say that Christmas is for children, and the Henry County High School art students who created the new Downtown Unwrapped Christmas coloring pages are firm believers in that sentiment. Both have high hopes that the children of the community will enjoy their sketches.
Satinka Nelson, an eleventh grade Art II student drew the coloring page chosen for third-fifth graders. “The judges loved Satinka’s portrayal of children playing around the Christmas tree in our Downtown Fountain Park,” said Travis McLeese, executive director of the Downtown Paris Association (DPA). “With the help of the City of Paris and Lowe’s, we’ve worked hard to illuminate the park in recent years. It’s gratifying to see an artist highlight this enchanting part of the square.”
Senior Kain Taylor’s work was chosen for children in kindergarten – second grade. “I enjoyed making this coloring page for my community. I hope the kids enjoy coloring it as much as I enjoyed creating it,” said the Art II student.
“Kain’s work depicts a jolly Santa waving in front of the Henry County Courthouse,” explained Shaneé DeHay, HCHS art instructor. “His piece is perfect for younger children with its manageable and festive design.
“That’s the way with artists, they often create functional pieces and want those pieces to be used,” said DeHay. “Whether it’s a mug they’ve thrown on the wheel or a coloring page they’ve drawn, they want their work to be viewed and enjoyed by an audience. We appreciate DPA providing that audience.”
The pages will be available to K-5th grade students county wide and online. In the past, approximately 2000 children have had the opportunity to enjoy coloring illustrations of their very own downtown.
The contest is divided into two age groups with a simple coloring page for K- second graders and more difficult images for third-fifth graders. Two youngsters will receive impressive prize packages for their top-notch coloring effort. The annual contest is sponsored by K & B Supplies for Success and PeddlerAds.com.
Winners in each age group will receive an enormous basket of art supplies including colored markers, crayons, drawing pads, construction paper, paints, modeling clay, sweet treats and more,” said Brenda Evans of K & B. Each basket has a retail value of $75.
Coloring sheets are available downtown at K & B Supplies for Success, Bo & Co. Boutique, Jack Jones Flowers & Gifts/Jack’s Java or online at VisitDowntownParis.com. Finished pages should be returned to the locations above before 5:00 pm on Saturday, December 11, the day of the Holly Jolly Electric Christmas Parade. Winners will be contacted the following week.
This year, children will have the opportunity to enjoy more than just two coloring pages, according to McLeese. In addition to the drawings used in the contest, the DPA is compiling a virtual coloring book available on the VisitDowntownParis.com website. There, parents and teachers will find holiday sketches to download for free, courtesy of a number of other high school artists..
“These coloring pages were created by HCHS Art I and II students and were chosen by the judges as runners up. We are so proud to have them on our website to be enjoyed by youngsters near and far,” said McLeese.
For more information about the contest call the Chamber/DPA Office at 731-642-3431.
The mission of the Downtown Paris Association is to promote prosperous business activity and community involvement while encouraging preservation of the downtown area. For more information email DowntownParis@outlook.com or call 731-642-3431.
Photo: Satinka Nelson, an eleventh grade, Art II student shows off the coloring sheet she created for third – fifth grade participants in the Downtown Unwrapped Christmas Coloring Contest.