Wyland National Art Challenge

Scholarship Sponsored by Wyland Foundation

Esteemed environmental artist, conservationist, and muralist Wyland extends an invitation to classrooms across the United States to participate in the 13th annual Wyland National Art Challenge. This nationwide contest, centered around the theme of conserving our oceans, lakes, rivers, streams, and wetlands, encourages students to express their understanding of environmental conservation through art. The contest commences on October 1, 2025, and concludes on December 1, 2025.

Educators are encouraged to guide their students in creating a mural painting, measuring at least 4 feet by 8 feet, that celebrates the role of conservation in our lives and our world. Over 20 classrooms that register before September 5, 2025, will be randomly selected to receive a mural canvas. However, schools that do not receive a mural kit can still participate by painting a mural on any surface of the same dimensions.

Teachers will submit photos of their class's mural painting for contest entry at www.wylandfoundation.org/artchallenge between October 1 and December 1, 2025. The contest is divided into categories for grades K-5, 6-8, and 9-12. The class in each category that best expresses their understanding of conservation through their mural will receive a cash prize. Schools may register multiple classes, but only one free mural kit per school is allowed. Each mural entry must be accompanied by at least five individual student drawings or paintings, which serve as explorations of the subject matter and theme for their mural. An individual winner will be selected from each grade category, K-12, with prizes including scholarships and gift cards for art supplies.

There are three areas in which students can showcase their talents:

1. Classroom Mural: Experience the magic of artistic collaboration! Work together as a class to create a mural. Three classrooms will win $500 for art supplies from Blick Art Materials.

2. Individual Art: Unleash your inner artist! Individual pieces of art, in any medium, that support the theme of the class mural. One 11th or 12th-grade winner will receive a $500 scholarship, and additional winners from each grade level will receive a $50 gift card for art supplies from Blick Art Materials. (Note: mural participation is not required for individual art entries)

3. Individual Photography: Capture the beauty of nature through your lens! One 11th or 12th-grade winner will receive a $250 scholarship, and an additional winner will receive a $50 gift card.

Remember, the focus of the Art Challenge is environmental and water conservation. Teachers, inspire your students to highlight conservation and participate in all three categories: classroom mural, individual art, and photography.