The VFW Calabash Post 7288 Auxiliary is once again sponsoring the annual Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest and invites budding young artists from our community to display their artistic talents in a patriotic way to compete for recognition and prizes.
Each year, more than 4,000 high school students from across the nation participate in the VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. The contest began in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth.
The contest is open to all art students in grades 9–12, attending public, private, or parochial schools and home study programs. While the support of art teachers is welcomed, it is not required and any student wishing to participate may do so independently by contacting the VFW Auxiliary and requesting an application.
What media is your specialty? Unframed two-dimensional art must be on canvas or paper. Watercolor, pencil, pastel, charcoal, tempera, crayon, acrylic, pen, ink, oil, marker or other media may be used. The art should be no smaller than 8” x 10” but no larger than 18” x 24”, including mat, if used.
If three-Dimensional Art is more your style, consider expressing a patriotic theme using paper, papier-mâché, pottery, clay, metal work, fabric, etc. Pieces should be no larger than 18” in any direction and cannot weigh more than 5 lbs.
A 250 word maximum, typed explanation of the patriotism expressed in your artwork must be included.
The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $37,000 for a two dimensional entry and $5,500 for a three dimensional entry.
$200 Cash prize to winners from this community and entering the winning artwork into the district competition.>
For a complete contest details, please contact Patriotic Art Contest chairwoman Julia Larsen at 910–232–1016 or julialarsen@hotmail.com. . Provide your name, grade, telephone number and email address to request an application. The deadline for submissions is March 31, 2025.
