Freehold girl is finalist in children’s art contest

Twenty-nine young artists from across the United States have been named finalists in the first Deck the Walls Kids Masterpiece Contest. The artists are state winners in the national competition that will award a free trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., as the grand prize. The finalists, selected from more than 240 entries, range in age from 21 months to 12 years. All finalists will have their artwork professionally framed by Deck the Walls. Among the finalists is Gabriella Peragine of Freehold, 9, whose artwork is titled "Simple Pleasures." The public is invited to vote for their favorite entry online at www.deckthewalls.com during Dec. 3-13. The grand prize winner and nine runners-up will be announced Dec. 16. Deck the Walls is a retailer of art and custom framing with more than 140 locations, including Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township.