Youth Wildflower Art Contest

Have wildflowers ever inspired the inner artist in you? Shenandoah National Park's annual Youth Wildflower Art Contest is virtual once again, but this year, we are opening this tradition to all K-12 students throughout Virginia and the District of Columbia to participate! See details for submitting artwork in the "How" section below.
 
Colored pencil and watercolor painting of Dwarf crested iris
2023 Best in Show | Dwarf crested iris | Colored pencil and watercolor

Katherine

Who

The contest is open to all K-12 students (including home-schooled students) K-12 students throughout Virginia and the District of Columbia. One entry per student and total entries may be limited.

What

Each student may submit one piece of artwork. For the subjects of their work, artists must use wildflowers that are native to the Blue Ridge Mountains of Shenandoah National Park. To help you choose, we've put together a list of eligible native wildflower species.

Submissions must be on flat media, and may include acrylic, watercolor, charcoal, pencil, fabric, etc. Artwork should not be matted, mounted, or framed. Photographs, computer-generated, or computer-enhanced artwork will not be accepted. Works will be judged on the basis of original design and artistic composition. Judges will select the top entries from each grade level, and one of the top entries will be selected as the "Best in Show."

If you'd like some art tips before getting started, be sure to check out our virtual wildflower watercolor workshops with artist Betty Gatewood.

When

Artwork submission begins February 17, 2024 and ends April 7, 2024. The winners will be notified after the judging process has been completed and invited to participate in a winners' ceremony at the visitor center at Big Meadows during the 2024 Wildflower Weekend on May 11th. Winners are not required to attend the winners ceremony.

How

You can get started any time with your work! Participants will email SHENYouthArtContest2024@nps.gov and include the following:

  • Student First and Last Name
  • Address (to send prize to if they are a winner)
  • Student School and location (if homeschool, include a co-op if you are a member of one)
  • Student grade
  • Name of the wildflower depicted
  • Title of the art piece
  • A high-resolution photo (follow these tips)
  1. If possible, photograph your artwork in natural light (outdoors).
  2. Avoid using flash.
  3. Select your phone/camera's highest resolution setting.
Please remember only one entry per student. If you are a teacher submitting for multiple students, please send one email per student.

Good luck!
 

Frequently Asked Questions

Email SHENYouthArtContest2024@nps.gov for more information and questions!

Yes, if you are K-12 in Virginia or District of Columbia.

No, this contest is for school-aged children in K-12 throughout Virginia.

You will not be able to submit multiple applications in the same account. Instead, you can incorporate each youth artist response into the original application.  Then, the last name of the artist and title of work should be the name of the image. 

For example, for the questions “What is the wildflower species depicted in the image?” You will need to respond:

Artist - Simmers: Bleeding Heart

Artist #2: Name of Species

Your other option is to create another account with CaFE and enter the other youth artists information. 

No! Students can submit art themselves or teachers can do so for classes. Any student K-12 in Virginia can participate and does not have to be in an art class to do so.

Artists must submit works that are approximately 8.5 by x 11-inches in size using media such as acrylic, crayon, watercolor, fiber, pencil, charcoal, small crochet or knit projects, etc. The piece must lay flat but does not need to be on paper. Photographs of flowers will not be accepted.
 
 
 

Last updated: March 11, 2024

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Mailing Address:

Shenandoah National Park
3655 U.S. Highway 211 East

Luray, VA 22835

Phone:

540 999-3500
Emergency Phone: 1-800-732-0911

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