“Being Water Wise Is…”Art Contest

The “Being Water Wise Is…” Art Contest is now open! Deadline to submit artwork is Thursday, February 26, 2026 at 5:00 PM.

What is the “Being Water Wise Is…” Art Contest?

The annual Art Contest is for 3rd-12th grade students attending schools in the District’s service area. Utilizing the theme “Being Water Wise Is…” students are given the opportunity to demonstrate their artistic abilities while learning about the importance of water in our lives.

The theme can be portrayed as wise and efficient water use inside and outside of the home, at school, in the community, in business and industry, in agriculture, and in recreation. The importance of clean and reliable water to public health has been made even more clear over the past few years. Additionally, climate change is stressing Southern California’s water supplies and we need to adapt. This theme of water conservation and stewardship should be reflected in the artwork.

What are the contest rules?

Art Requirements

Please read carefully as some rules have changed. To qualify for judging, all of the following criteria must be met.

Size & Material:

Artwork must be 12” X 18” or 8.5” X 11” in size and drawn on WHITE poster board or WHITE drawing paper (no lines).
Artwork drawn on 12” X 18” paper must have a one-inch white or blank border on all four sides. This is a graphics and framing requirement.
Artwork must be drawn HORIZONTALLY

CONTENT:

Convey the theme of “Being Water Wise Is…”
Artwork must illustrate water-wise practices in one or more of the following areas: conservation/ stewardship actions, climate change impacts, water use in home, school, business, nature, agriculture, recreation, or hygiene.

TEXT:

Keep any text brief; avoid long messages.
Misspelled words will disqualify the entry.

ARTISTIC STYLE:

Bold, bright, and brilliant colors are encouraged.
Acceptable media include crayons, markers, colored pencils, paints or watercolors

ORIGINALITY

Artwork must be original.
No traced, trademarked, or copyrighted characters or slogans (e.g., Bluey, Frozen).
No repeated submissions from previous years.
WVWD reserves the right to question or disqualify any artwork that does not appear appropriate for the student’s age or grade level.

Please Note: WVWD’s theme and requirements follow the requirements of Metropolitan Water District’s (MWD) Annual Student Art Calendar.

Scoring Criteria

All qualifying posters will be judged based on:

Adherence to Art Requirements
Connection to the Theme – how well the poster illustrates “Being Water Wise Is…”
Originality and Creativity – uniqueness of concept and design
Visual and Text Clarity – effective use of color, media, and legible text

How do I submit artwork?

Submission Instructions

A maximum of 3 posters per class/period may be submitted. The deadline is Thursday, February 26, 2026, by 5:00 PM

How to Submit

Drop-Off: Bring entries to WVWD’s Administration Building located at 271 S. Brea Canyon Rd., Walnut
Scheduled Pickup: Email Katrina (klumague@walnutvalleywater.gov) to arrange a pickup through your school’s front office. Pickups must be scheduled before the contest deadline.

Important Requirements

Teachers Only: Individual student submissions are not accepted; all entries must be submitted by a teacher.
Labeling: Each piece of artwork must include the student’s full name, grade level, teacher’s name, and school name on the back.
Submission Form: One completed Contest Submission Form is required per class/period and must accompany the entries

What are the prizes and awards for this contest?

Student Prizes

1st Place Winners:

Prize valued at $100
Categories: 3rd Grade | 4th Grade | 5th Grade | Middle School (6th–8th) | High School (9th–12th)

2nd and 3rd Place Winners:

Special recognition at the awards ceremony and across WVWD media

Community Favorite Award:

Awarded to the artwork with the most online and in-person votes. Voting instructions will be provided to students once grade-level winners are announced.

Participation Recognition:

All students receive a certificate of participation, including entries not submitted to WVWD.

Teacher Prizes

Teachers of 1st Place Winners:

Up to $200 of school supplies covered from their Amazon Wishlist
A maximum of $200 per teacher will be awarded, even if multiple students in class/period win 1st place

Participation-Based Incentives:

100% Class Participation:

Entry into a $50 gift card raffle per teacher
Classroom gift box with prizes for all students
Special recognition at the awards ceremony and across WVWD media

At Least One Entry Submitted:

Entry into a $25 gift card raffle per teacher

IMPORTANT: The total number of participating students must be clearly indicated on the submission form in order for certificates and participation prizes to be accurately awarded

School Recognition

The school with the highest number of entries will receive special recognition at the awards ceremony

The awards ceremony will be held in April 2026 (invite only).

What happens after I submit artwork?

WVWD judges the entries based on originality, color, complexity, and theme. Student and teacher winners will be contacted by email, followed by an invite to attend the Recognition Ceremony held in April.

The winning posters are displayed on the District’s website and social media.

The winning artworks are also submitted to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California for further judging as entries in their calendar contest. The final calendar is distributed to roughly 13,000 recipients each year. View the current calendar here: www.mwdh2o.com/education-landing-page/outreach-programs/