DaVinci Fest 2027
Judged Art Competition
The DaVinci Fest Art Competition is an optional opportunity for students in grades 6–12 to have their artwork reviewed by volunteer judges. Students meet individually with judges to talk about their work, creative process, and ideas. Awards are presented in each category, with one artwork selected as the DaVinci Fest Grand Champion.
Registration closes December 31, 2026.
At A Glance
>WHO
Students in Grades 6–12
Open to students who live in the boundaries of Stillwater Area Public Schools (ISD 834)
>WHAT
Up to 2 Pieces of Art
Each piece requires its own entry and must be in different artform categories
>REGISTER BY
December 31, 2026
Pre-registration is required for the competition.
Register Here
>STATEMENT
Your Artist’s Statement
Write an artist’s statement for your piece; print 3 copies and bring them to the event
>ART DROP OFF
Thursday, January 21
3:30–6:00 pm
Stillwater Area High School
Door 49W
>JUDGING
Saturday, January 23
One of two sessions:
A) 8:30–10:30 am
B) 10:30–12:30 pm
How To Participate
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Complete the online registration by:
December 31, 2026
We'll print your artist label straight from what you submit, so double-check that titles and categories are correct before you send it in.
Need to change something (title, category, etc.) after registering? Send us an email. Changes can't be made after January 13.
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Each competition entry must include an artist's statement.
Bring to your judging session three printed copies of your artist's statement. Have two entries? You’ll bring six copies.
We are unable to print statements at DaVinci Fest, so please plan ahead.
If something unexpected happens, paper and pens will be available to write your statement — but preparing your statement ahead of time is is considered part of the effort contributed to your work and will be reflected in your judged score.
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Bring your labeled artwork to:
Stillwater Area High School
Door 49W
Thursday, January 21
3:30–6:00 pmARTWORK LABEL REQUIREMENTS
Art should be securely identified in some manner with the following info:
1) Student Name
2) Grade
3) School
4) Teacher
5) Artwork Title -
You will meet with three judges the morning of DaVinci Fest in one of two sessions. You’ll choose your preferred slot during registration.
Saturday, January 23, 2027
A) 8:30 am - 10:30 am
B) 10:30 am - 12:30 pmStudents must be present during their selected judging session and meet with three judges before leaving the artists’ area.
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After your judging is complete, you are welcome to leave the art show and enjoy the rest of the event.
The public portion of DaVinci Fest runs from:
12:30–4:00 pm
Your artwork will remain on display during the event.
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Competition artwork should be picked up at the conclusion of DaVinci Fest.
Saturday, January 23
4:00–5:00 pmPick up your artwork from the location where it was displayed.
Event organizers are not responsible for artwork. Please make arrangements to have your piece picked up during this time. If you are unable to attend, you are responsible for arranging for someone else to remove your project.
Exhibition Guidelines
Artwork should be appropriate for a youth-centered, family-friendly public exhibition. Students are encouraged to explore ideas, perspectives, and themes creatively; however, submissions may not include explicit sexual content, graphic violence, hate speech, or other content that is reasonably inappropriate for a public school setting.
How To Prepare
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Your statement helps the judges understand:
What your artwork is about
Your idea or purpose
How you planned and created it
The materials and techniques you used
Want tips?
Check out this guide to preparing your artist statement. -
Arrive & check in
Receive your name tag
Wait in the artist’s room
A judge will call your name to bring you to your artwork
Talk with the judge about your work and artist’s statement
Return to the artist’s room and wait for another judge
Once three judges have visited with you, you’re finished and may leave the art show
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Your Skill
How you used your materials & techniquesYour Idea
What you created, why you created it, and how you developed the workYour Effort
How you challenged yourself and approached the workYour Creativity
The choices you made and the originality of your workYour Voice
What makes the artwork feel like yours
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Technical Quality · 10 points
How effectively did you use your materials and techniques? Did you demonstrate skill and challenge yourself?
Artist's Statement · 10 points (5 written + 5 verbal)
Can you explain what your artwork is about, what inspired or motivated you, and how you created it?
Thought-Provoking & Engaging · 10 points
Does your artwork encourage the viewer to stop, look, think, or feel something?
Originality & Student Voice · 10 points
Does the artwork reflect your own ideas, creative choices, and artistic style?
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Talk about your work
The judges want to hear about your ideas and creative process.
Be yourself
There isn't one "right" way to talk about your artwork.
Share what you're excited about
What part of the project are you most proud of? What was challenging? What did you discover along the way?
It's okay to be nervous
You've already done the hardest part — you made something only you could create!
Ask questions, too
Judging can be a conversation. If you're curious about something, feel free to ask.
Enjoy it!
This is an opportunity to share something you created with people who are genuinely interested in seeing it.
Artform Categories
Awards
$$$
Awards $$$
Ribbons will be awarded to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in each art category, with winners selected in both:
Junior Division: Grades 6–8
Senior Division: Grades 9–12
One artwork from the entire competition will also be selected as:
★ DaVinci Fest Grand Champion ★
Ready to Enter?
Registration closes December 31, 2026.
We'll print your artist label straight from what you submit, so double-check that titles and categories are correct before you send it in. Need to change something (title, category, etc.) after registering? Email us — changes can't be made after January 13.