Budding Artists:
Kids & Youth Art Contest & Show 2025

Hosted by the Creative Arts Center
 Sponsored by Glaser Family Charitable Foundation & MW & Fair Miller Foundation

Contest Rules and Important Information: (please read carefully!) 

1. Eligibility: Artists must be under the age of 18, as of April 1, 2025. Artist must live in Fannin County.
2. Artwork Drop Off Times: Artwork can be brought to the center during normal business hours between March 25 – April 2, 2025. Normal business hours are Tuesday – Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturdays from 10 am to noon.  The Center is located at 200 W. 5^th in Bonham.
3. Entry Deadline: All artwork must be submitted to the Creative Arts Center by 5 pm Wednesday, April 2, 2025.  If artists need help in framing their artwork or otherwise get it ready to hang, the deadline to enter is 5 pm on Thursday, March 27, 2025.
4. Entry Forms: All artwork must include a completed entry form securely attached to the back or bottom of the artwork. If an artist submits more than one entry, each piece of artwork must have its own entry form securely attached. The center will have entry forms available at drop off. Participants can also request a copy of the entry form by emailing [email protected]. 
5. All hanging artwork must have a wire, suitable for hanging in the gallery (no sawtooth hangers).  The center realizes this can be a barrier for some young artists and therefore is striving to have enough donations and volunteers to assist with this.  Young artists may submit up to one piece of art that needs this additional assistance in framing and/or wiring.  In these cases, artwork must be turned in by the early deadline of 5 pm on Thursday, March 27 in order to allow the center enough time to frame and wire the artwork.
6. Entry Fees: No entry fees will be charged.
7. Artists are limited to three entries per person when the artists can ensure their artwork is suitably wired for hanging.  In cases where the artists needs the center’s assistance in wiring, the artist is limited to one entry.  
8. Types of artwork that will be accepted include: drawings, paintings, mixed media, photography  and 3D art.  The center reserves the right to divide the artwork into categories for the purpose of judging and awards.  Depending on the number of entries received, the center may divide categories based on ages and/or types of mediums. Prizes will include ribbons and cash.
9. Opening Night Reception & Awards Ceremony: All artists and family members are strongly encouraged to attend the opening night reception and awards ceremony on Friday, April 4 from 5-7 pm.
10. Artists have the option of offering their work to be for sale or not. Artists set their own prices.  The Creative Arts Center will retain a 20% commission and handle all sales and sales taxes.  Artists’ checks will be processed and mailed as quickly as possible after the end of the month.  Artists can expect their checks around the middle of May.
11. All artwork must remain on display at the art center until April 29.
12. Artwork pick up: Any artwork that does not sell or was not offered for sale, can be picked up during normal business hours starting April 29. Any artwork that is not picked up by May 31, will become the property of the Creative Arts Center.  The Center will then be able to sell or dispose of the artwork as they see fit.
13. Artwork must be original. No coloring pages. No arts/craft kits. No copying licenses characters.
14. The Creative Arts Center retains the right to determine what is suitable to display. The center reserves the right to not display any artwork that is deemed controversial, inappropriate, overtly political, violent, disturbing or otherwise not suitable for display in the center.  Nudes that are explicit or graphic will not be allowed, as the center aims to be family friendly and often has children and youth in the center. The center reserves the right to not display artwork that could present a risk to safety of people in the gallery, such as a sculpture that is not steady and could fall over or a piece with sharp points or edges. Determining what artwork is not suitable or safe will be generally be determined by a panel of artist members but may also be determined by the Director.

Contest Judge: Chris Cravens

First Place ($100)
Ja’Darius Blander
Snowfall in Wilkerson County
Acrylic Painting

Second Place ($50)
William Talley
Crystal Forest
Mixed Media

Third Place ($25)
Mason Shook
Solar Winds Around Neptune
Drawing with Marker

Honorable Mention ($20)
Ali Barker
Airhead Extreme
Acrylic Painting

Director’s Choice ($20)
Brynn Hudson
Polka Dots
Watercolor