Get Creative with What's Native
The River Legacy Foundation invites students of all ages to participate in our annual Art Contest, celebrating Texas native flora and fauna. This contest encourages young artists to explore nature and develop a deeper connection with the environment through creativity.
To participate, draw or paint a Texas native animal and/or plant and submit your work for a chance to win amazing prizes! This contest is open to all skill levels, from budding artists to experienced illustrators.
Winners will be selected based on creativity, accuracy, and their ability to convey the beauty of Texas’s natural heritage. Outstanding entries will be awarded prizes and may be featured in River Legacy’s publications and displayed at the Nature Center.
Celebrate Texas wildlife and plant life through art. Submit your artwork today and inspire others with your creativity!
Art Contest
May 1, 2024 – July 31, 2024Qualifications
All students in Pre-K (ages 3 & 4) through 12th grade in the 2023-2024 school year.
Winner must be able to pick up the prize in person at River Legacy Nature Center.
SPECIFICATIONS
Subject must be a Texas native animal and/or plant.
Artwork may be created with or with a combination of crayons, markers, ink, pencil, charcoal, pastels, oils, acrylics and watercolor.
Photography and digital art submissions will not be accepted.
Art Piece must be 8.5″x11″.
SUBMISSION
Each artist is required to complete a Submission and Release Form for their piece.
Only ONE entry per artist.
Must be the artist’s original work.
Online Submission
Print Form
Submission Options
EmailSend your artwork and Submission Release form to contest@riverlegacy.org
UPLOADClick the button below to upload your artwork and fill out the online Submission & Release Form.
DROP OFFTurn in your artwork and Submission & Release Form at the Nature Center!
Rubric
Composition
• Is your artwork clearly identifiable?
• Does your artwork include enough detail?
Accuracy
• Is the animal or plant you drew native to Texas?
• Is the animal or plant in your artwork accurate to what it
looks like in real life? (color, anatomy, etc.)
Not sure what's native?
Choose from the lists below:Birds
Road Runner
Great Blue Heron
Mockingbird
AMPHIBIANS
Green Tree Frog
Leopard Frog
Spotted Salamander
MAMMALS
9-banded Armadillo
Jack Rabbit
Bobcat
INVERTEBRATES
Monarch
Mason Bees
Gulf Fritillary
*Honey Bees are not native to Texas
REPTILES
American Alligator
Texas Tortoise
Horned Lizard
FISH
Guadalupe Bass
Paddlefish
Texas Cichlid
PLANTS
Yellow Columbine
Bluebonnet
Indian Blanket
Purple Coneflower
Pecan Tree
Southern Magnolia
If you have questions about your plant/animal choice, just email and ask!
Check out the 2023 winners:
AdelynAmerican Alligator
Weston IrelandMexican Free-tailed bat
Lea MartelRuby throated hummingbird
Ryanne MechlaouiGreat Blue Heron
Honorable Mentions
Gem GomezMonarch butterfly
Monarch GarnerCopperhead and Lantana urticodes
Kyah CarrascoBobcat and Indian blankets
Anya QuinnJack Rabbit, armadillo & Roadrunner
Amy NhanGreat Blue Heron
Grace LattaGreat Blue Heron
LIFETIME LEARNERS
East Arlington Recreation Center Senior Adult GroupEach year, Get Creative With What’s Native encourages students to use art as a tool to learn about their native environment through observation. This year, some members of the East Arlington Rec. Center’s Senior Adult group chose to embody the spirit of lifelong learning by participating in our contest. We hope their participation serves as an example to younger generations that the journey of learning is one that endures throughout every stage of life!
See all 2023 Entries
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