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Bel-Aire Elementary School fourth-grader Peyton Fritz recently had her artwork chosen as a winner of the Tennessee Art Education Association (TAEA) State of Tennessee Art Review and Showcase (STARS) Art Contest.

Peyton took first place in the fourth-grade art competition. She will soon have her artwork titled “Flower Still Life with Checkered Tablecloth” on display at the Tennessee State Museum. The STARS Reception will take place on March 21 at 11 a.m. at the Tennessee State Museum. The STARS exhibition will remain on display through May.

“This project was amazing and so much fun to create,” Peyton said. “I’m thankful for my art teacher, Mr. Kyle Nagle, because he teaches me so much. I’m grateful to have him as my teacher.”

The STARS Art Contest highlights artwork by kindergarten through fifth-grade students in public or private schools. This marks the fifth year of the STARS Art competition, and the first time that Tullahoma City Schools has had a first-place recipient.

“We are incredibly proud of Peyton’s first-place achievement in the TAEA STARS Art Contest,” said Sarah McVey, TCS Fine Arts Coordinator. “Her success reflects not only her talent and hard work, but also the strong, vibrant art instruction happening in elementary classrooms across our district every day.”

TCS Director of Schools, Dr. Catherine Stephens, also offered her congratulations to Peyton and her family.

“We have some tremendously talented and creative artists in our district, and Peyton’s artwork is stunning,” Dr. Stephens said. “This award also further highlights the incredible art teachers that we have at TCS, including Mr. Kyle Nagle at Bel-Aire. I am incredibly proud of Peyton; her family must be overjoyed, and I am thrilled that she will have her art on display with some of the state’s best artists.”