FMS 8th-grader wins TN Youth Art Month flag design contest

Farragut Middle School eighth-grader Jennifer Segui-eda Albertsen has found her niche — art.

Jennifer, 13, has won the grand prize in Tennessee Youth Art Month flag design contest through Tennessee Art Education Association.

Jennifer’s winning drawing will be made into a flag and displayed at National Art Education Association Con-ference March 2-4 in New York City.

As the winner, sponsor Sargent Art will award Jennifer $1,500 in cash for herself and $2,000 worth of art supplies for her teacher, Angie McCarter, to use in the classroom.

“I’m happy,” Jennifer said about winning. “It just means I’m a really good artist.”

Jennifer added she would probably spend her prize on art supplies. Jennifer’s favorite kind of art is Japanese anime art.

“I like the shading style,” she said.

Last year, Jennifer won third place in the middle school division of the contest.

“I was thrilled for her because she worked really hard, and she’s very interested in art, so it was great to see a student who is so interested in art win such a prestigious contest,” McCarter said. “I could definitely see her getting a career connected to art.

“She’s the kind of student

who is always drawing and

practicing.”

“I just want a job that pays a lot of money and try to make money with my art, too,” Jennifer said.

Youth Art Month is a nationally observed celebration of the visual arts that is observed each year in March.

This year’s theme for the contest was “Art is a Visual Journey.”

McCarter, who also is chairman of TAEF that holds the contest, said teachers from all over the state send in entries from their students.

“It’s open from kindergarten to 12th grade,” said McCarter, who hires three former art teachers who anonymously pick first-, second- and third-place winners from elementary, middle school and high school entries — and one grand-prize winner.

“This year I will get to go to it, so I will get to see the flag,” McCarter said.

Jennifer is the daughter of Jennifer Albertsen, granddaughter of Linda and Wayne Albertsen and great-granddaughter of Virginia Dicento, all of Farragut.