A Lombard second-grader has won the worldwide ‘Artist of the Week’ competition sponsored by Artsonia and Blick Materials. Michael Tricoci, a student at Westmore Elementary School, received top honors and was selected out of thousands of students from more than 100 countries.

His artwork was randomly selected from the online gallery that Westmore’s art teacher, Fran Moran, created for her students.

“I publish all my students’ work online,” Moran said.

Teachers and parents can create art galleries on the Artsonia Web site to display the students’ work. These galleries create “fan clubs” for each student, which allow family members and friends to vote.

Michael’s artwork was put into a poll by Artsonia with three other pieces from his age group of prekindergarten to third grade. His artwork got the most votes out of the four, making him the weekly winner.

Michael’s reward was a $50 gift certificate good at any Blick Art Materials store. Westmore Principal Dominic Sepich presented Michael with an honorary Artsonia plaque in front of his classmates.

His teacher also received a gift certificate for $100 to spend on art supplies at any Blick Art Materials store or online. 

Michael’s mother, Stephanie Tricoci, was thrilled when she received the e-mail from Artsonia about Michael’s victory.

“It was very exciting,” Tricoci said. “I think everything he’s done is great.”

For the 2009-10 school year, 12 students from each age group, totaling 48 finalists, will be selected every Sunday and posted online at www.artsonia.com/aotw. Tiffany Rahn, the education director at Artsonia, said this is the first year for the contest.

Notable: When he was younger, Michael did not like coloring.

Quotable
“When I look at my plaque next to my desk, it looks like I am at a job.”

Get, give
When parents purchase items displaying their child’s artwork from Westmore’s Artsonia online  gallery, Artsonia gives 15 percent of the sales back to the school’s art program for supplies.

Favorites
Subject Math
Color Green
Food Pasta and pizza
Art medium Painting