Allegheny County students are being invited to put their creativity on display and share how they experience the natural world through the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy’s inaugural Drawn to Nature Art Contest.
The contest is open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade from now until Oct. 24. This year’s theme, “My Place in Nature,” asks students to create a two-dimensional work inspired by a special outdoor scene.
“It’s inviting young people to draw a space, whether it’s in their backyard or local park or a schoolyard,” said James Brown, director of education and the Frick Environmental Center. “It could be an animal in that space, or they can draw themselves in that space in nature.”
Students will have their work judged in four categories: creativity and originality, thematic alignment, elements of art and craftsmanship, care and attention to detail and artistic statement.
Finalists will have their artwork featured in the Frick Environmental Center Art Gallery, which hosts regular exhibitions by local artists.
“In cities and in urban areas, we think of nature as this sort of thing that’s outside the city or away from us. It’s separate from us, and art invites connection,” Brown said. “We wanted people to celebrate that through art making.”
Accepted mediums include acrylics, pastels, pencil, watercolor, oil paints, crayons, markers and digitally created work. Contest rules dictate that digitally created works must be entirely original and may not include any photographs or media created or owned by someone else.
Artwork must be the original work of the youth artist. Assistance from parents, guardians, teachers — and artificial intelligence — is not allowed.
Brown said he sees the youth contest as a way to recognize young artists and bring the arts and environmental communities together.
Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy already works with more than 20 schools through partnerships with Pittsburgh Public Schools and Propel Schools. It is promoting the contest through teachers, administrators, after-school organizations, summer camps and families.
Submissions are open until 8 p.m. on Oct., 24.