A labor of love for Lucy Eastman has netted recognition from the Tennessee Association for Family and Community Education.
She received a first place award in the cultural arts division in both regional and state competitions for her art piece.
“I’m so happy with this,” said Eastman. “I know I’m tooting my own horn here, but I am happy about receiving these awards. It means something to me.”
The drawing’s inspiration comes from a photograph she saw online of a woman and a mule.
“I found the picture on Facebook of a girl in Arizona,” she said. “When I saw that picture, it inspired me. I loved the sky. Its colors were nothing like you see in Tennessee. It was of a mule and a girl. Everyone thought it was a horse, but it’s a mule. I like mules.”
Her attempt to replicate the picture started in January 2018. The art was shown at the Warren County A&L Fair in September and took second place. It advanced to a regional competition, winning first place, and moved on to the state competition this month in Memphis.
“I’ve been drawing since I was a small child. I enjoy acrylic and water colors and color pencils. I’ll see something that inspires me and I have to draw it. This isn’t something I do for the reward. What I won at the state competition paid for the frame. This is something I enjoy doing.”
The future of the drawing is unknown as this time.
“I was trying to find the girl’s number on my Facebook page,” said Eastman. “I’ve lost it. She was from Arizona. If I can find it, I think I’ll send this picture to her.”
The TAFCE conference provides an opportunity for FCE club members from across the state to share their individual and club achievements. Along with offering attendees a chance to receive awards in cultural arts, fashion revue, and creative writing, the conference offers options for educational tours, craft classes, and educational workshops.
Family and Community Education is an organization of volunteers who work together to build strong families and communities.
Educational materials are created and utilized to strengthen knowledge and skills. Resources are provided to develop leadership skills, enabling people to make a difference. FCE strives to make its communities a better place to live.
