Wyland National Art Challenge
Scholarship Sponsored by Wyland Foundation
Intro
Celebrated environmental artist, conservationist and muralist Wyland invites K–12 classrooms across the United States to join the 13th annual Wyland National Art Challenge. This nationwide contest—focused on conserving oceans, lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands—runs from Oct. 1, 2025 through Dec. 1, 2025. Teachers and students are encouraged to design and paint a collaborative mural (minimum 4 feet by 8 feet) that explores how conservation influences our lives and environment.
Eligibility and categories
- Classroom mural categories: K–5, 6–8, and 9–12. The class in each category whose mural best demonstrates an understanding of conservation will win a classroom prize.
- Individual art: Student entries accepted K–12. One individual winner will be selected from each grade (K–12).
- Photography: Open to students; winners include honors for upper-grade photographers.
How to enter
- Sign up before Sept. 5, 2025 to be eligible for a random drawing to receive a free mural canvas kit. More than 20 participating classrooms will be chosen in that drawing. Only one complimentary mural kit is allowed per school. Schools that do not receive a kit may still take part by painting on any 4-foot by 8-foot (or larger) surface.
- Each classroom mural entry must be supported by at least five individual student drawings or paintings that show the class’s research and development of the mural’s theme.
- Schools may register multiple classes.
Submission and judging
- Judges evaluate images of the artwork; physical pieces are not required to be shipped. Digital images may be uploaded beginning Oct. 1, 2025. The contest period closes Dec. 1, 2025.
- The overall contest theme is environmental and water conservation. Teachers are encouraged to guide students to enter any or all of the three award areas: classroom mural, individual art, and photography.
Prizes
1) Classroom mural
- Three winning classrooms (one per category: K–5, 6–8, 9–12) will each receive $500 worth of art supplies from Blick Art Materials.
2) Individual art
- One 11th– or 12th-grade individual winner receives a $500 scholarship.
- Additional individual winners at each grade level will receive a $50 Blick Art Materials gift card.
- Participation in the mural portion is not required to submit individual art.
3) Individual photography
- One 11th– or 12th-grade photography winner will receive a $250 scholarship.
- An additional photography winner will receive a $50 gift card.
Important reminders
- Images are submitted for judging, not the original artworks.
- Sign-up deadline to be included in the mural kit drawing: Sept. 5, 2025.
- Contest open: Oct. 1, 2025 – Dec. 1, 2025. Image uploads begin Oct. 1.
For more details on registration, submission specs, and judging criteria, teachers should refer to the official Wyland National Art Challenge guidelines.