Student Art Contest and Show

Entry & Award Information
Rules & Requirements
Submission of Entries
Art Show and Awards
Return of Student Artwork

2024 Student Art Contest

The Audubon Society of Omaha is pleased to sponsor its annual student art contest and show for 2024. The goal of this contest is to introduce young people to birds and promote the importance of wildlife in our community. It is our hope that young people will recognize the birds they create and foster an enjoyment of nature. All original artwork must depict one or more Midwestern birds in their native habitat or an endangered bird species. This contest is free to enter and open to the public.

All submitted student artwork will be exhibited during the Art Show on April 20, 2024, at the Harper Center Auditorium at Creighton University. Contest winners will be posted on this website after March 25, 2024. If you would like to post a flyer about the contest, click button below for a downloadable print file.

ART CONTEST FLYER

Entry and Award Information

Each grade K-12 will be judged for Awards of Excellence and Merit in four categories: Realism, Graphic Design, Cartooning and Recycled

In addition, there will be separate judging for Best in Show for three different age groups: K-4th, 5th-8th and 9th-12th.

Entries are being judged in the following categories!

Realism

True-to-life art in the tradition of the American wildlife artists. The bird is easy to identify with accurate coloring and markings. The student must do a freehand drawing. No obvious tracings, stamps, stencils or computer works will be considered for an award.

Medium: Colored pencil, ink, marker, watercolor, tempera paint, pastels, etc.
Art must be in color, unless the bird's coloring is black and/or white.

Artwork by:
Dakota S.
10th Grade
Graphic Design

Emphasis on color, composition, shape and design rather than realism, yet retaining elements that are specific to a bird's identification. For example, bird(s) must still be identifiable as a Cardinal or Blue Jay.

Medium: Colored pencil, ink, marker, watercolor, tempera paint, pastels, colored or textured paper, fabric, etc.

Artwork by:
Lillian S.
8th Grade
Cartooning

Any style cartoon drawing with some indication of the kind of bird portrayed, indicated by bird shape and some identifiable markings. Art may be a one-panel cartoon or a story cartoon of several panels, with or without captions. Entries that include age-inappropriate content, such as tobacco, firearms or alcohol, will not be exhibited at the Art Show.

Medium: Colored pencil, ink, water colors, marker, crayon.

Artwork by:
Calia R.
2nd Grade
Recycled

Emphasis on creative use of recycled or up-cycled materials with some indication of the kind of bird portrayed, indicated by bird shape and some identifiable markings.

Medium: Materials that have been previously used and/or destined for recycling. Colored pencil, ink, marker, watercolor, tempera paint and glue may also be used. See SPECIAL requirements for this category listed below.

Artwork by:
Aleita J.
2nd Grade

Rules and Requirements

Digitally created artwork will NOT be accepted, including photo prints, laser prints or electronic media.

All artwork should be two-dimensional, and may be as small as 8" x 10" or as large as 11" x 14." Please mount artwork on either white or black backing, such as construction paper or poster board. The backing should provide a 2-4-inch margin on top and sides and a 4-6-inch margin on the bottom. Each work of art requires an entry form attached at the bottom.

Teachers: Please limit entries to 4-6 per classroom, per category. We are not staffed to handle large volumes of art from a single classroom. We know it’s hard to do, but please do not submit a whole classroom of art without making any pre-selection.

SPECIAL Rules & Requirements for Recycled

Artwork may be two-dimensional or THREE-DIMENSIONAL/Freestanding. Materials used should be dry, clean and safe – no rough or sharp edges. DO NOT use bird by-products, such as feathers, eggs or eggshells. Please mount two-dimensional art securely on either white or black backing, such as construction paper or poster board. Each work of art requires an entry form and for this category a list of materials.

If art is 3-Dimensional/Freestanding, it can be no larger than 14" x 8" x 5” and weigh no more than four pounds maximum. It must be submitted in a shoebox-sized container with lid so it can be transported safely.

NOTE: Entry forms should be mounted securely on the FRONT of the artwork, centered underneath the artwork, on the 4-6-inch margin of the backing. Adults may choose to print out the entry forms for younger students, as these entry forms will be the only student identification on the artwork. Entry form and list of materials can be attached to lid for three-dimensional entries in the Recycled category.

2024 Editible Entry Form

When and Where to Submit Artwork

All artwork must be delivered directly to the Audubon Society of Omaha office located at 4339 S. 90th Street, Omaha, NE, which will be open during these times:

Thursday, February 22 3 - 6:00 p.m.

Friday, February 23 3 - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday, February 24 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Student artwork does not need school sponsorship. All students of Nebraska or Iowa are welcome to enter this contest independently and submit their art directly to the Audubon Society of Omaha. Home-schooled students are welcome to enter this contest. The contest is free to enter and open to the public.

Art Show and Awards Ceremony

The 2024 Student Art Show and Awards Ceremony will be held live and in-person at Creighton University's Harper Center on April 20, 2024. The Art Show begins at noon and is open to all student artists and their families, as well as teachers.

For 2024, the Awards Ceremony will be held in three separate sessions:

Grades K-4 at 1 p.m.

Grades 5-8 at 2 p.m.

Grades 8-12 at 3 p.m.

Note: To see ALL student artwork in the show, arrive before 1 p.m. for best experience – artwork is removed by student artists after each awards ceremony.

This year we are pleased to have Blick Art Materials sponsor prizes for students.

Return of Student Artwork

All student artwork must be picked up by the student or teacher on April 20, 2024, before 3:30 p.m. at the Harper Center at Creighton University.

Unfortunately, we cannot store any artwork beyond that date, unless parents and/or teachers call and make special arrangements for pickup.

The Audubon Society values every student's artwork, and we take great care with each piece. However, we cannot assume any responsibility for the loss of, or damage to, submitted art.

Volunteers Needed

This contest is organized by volunteers, many who are members of the Audubon Society of Omaha.

If you are interested in this contest and would like to volunteer, please contact Julia at jrawnsley@audubonomaha.org. There are many volunteer opportunities that require only a 2-3 hour commitment.