The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) has launched its annual Take Care of Texas Art Contest, now in its 10th year. This year's theme focuses on recycling, encouraging students from kindergarten to fifth grade to illustrate how they, along with their families and friends, recycle and reuse items to reduce waste.
The contest, open to public, private, and home-schooled students throughout Texas, offers prizes for the winning entries in each grade category. Thanks to the support of the Texas Chemical Council, the contest sponsor, winners will receive laptops or iPads.
"TCEQ's Take Care of Texas program aims to instill an appreciation for the environment in young minds," said John Smith, spokesperson for TCEQ. "Through this art contest, we hope to inspire students to take proactive steps towards reducing waste and protecting our planet."
TCEQ staff will select two finalists in each category, resulting in a total of six statewide winning entries. The ultimate grand prize winners and runners-up will be chosen by TCEQ commissioners, executive staff, and representatives from the Texas Chemical Council. Each grand prize winner will be awarded a laptop, while each runner-up will receive an iPad.
To participate in the contest, students are required to submit their artwork depicting positive ways to care for the environment through recycling. The deadline for submissions is March 1, 2024. All entries must include the slogan "Take Care of Texas."
There are two methods of submission available. Students, parents, or teachers can either scan the physical artwork or take a high-quality photo and upload the file on the Take Care of Texas website. Digital entries must adhere to the contest rules and be accompanied by a digital entry form. Mailed entries will also be accepted.
For those choosing to mail their entries, the artwork and entry forms should be sent to the following address:
Take Care of Texas: Kids Art Contest, MC 118
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 13087
Austin, TX 78711-3087
For additional information and official rules, interested individuals can visit the Take Care of Texas website or send an email to educate@tceq.texas.gov.
The winners of the contest will be announced in early April and celebrated online through the contest website and social media channels. Furthermore, the grand prize winners from each category will receive a special invitation to the annual Texas Environmental Excellence Awards banquet in May 2024.
The Take Care of Texas Art Contest serves as a platform for young artists to showcase their talent while promoting environmental awareness and the importance of recycling. By engaging students in the creative process, TCEQ aims to nurture a generation of environmentally conscious individuals who will make a positive impact on the world around them.
To learn more, click on this link: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/news/releases/tceqs-take-care-of-texas-program-kicks-off-its-annual-art-contest
