Calling all young artists, dreamers, and tree lovers. Georgia Arbor Day is blooming with creativity, and you are invited to be part of the celebration! 🌳
On Friday, February 20, 2026, Trees Atlanta will mark Georgia Arbor Day with a week full of nature-inspired events, and one of the most beloved traditions is the Student Art Contest. This is a joyful showcase of imagination, environmental awareness, and artistic expression.
🌱 What’s the Contest All About?
The Georgia Arbor Day Student Art Contest is more than just a competition. It is a chance for students across metro Atlanta to explore the magic of trees and the science of nature through art. Whether you are into painting, poetry, photography, or film, there is a category for you to shine.
This year’s theme is:“Oh, the Places You’ll Grow!” Let your creativity take root and blossom as you reflect on how trees shape our everyday lives, our communities, and our future.
🖌️ Who Can Participate?
Any student in grades K–12 currently enrolled in or entering a metro Atlanta school—including homeschoolers—is welcome to join. Just be sure you are 14 years or older by May 1, 2026 to qualify.
📅 Important Dates
- Entries Accepted: November 1, 2025 – January 31, 2026
- Gallery Opening & Celebration: February 14, 2026
- Arbor Day: February 20, 2026
All entries must be received by 3:00 PM on January 31, 2026 via email, mail, or in-person drop-off.
🎁 Prizes & Recognition
Winners will be selected in each category and grade band:
- Visual Art: Grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12
- Writing: Grades K–12
- Film/Video: Grades K–12
🏆 Prizes include:
- Gift cards
- Scraplanta swag
- Tickets to the HIGH Museum
- Plus, teachers/adults who submit winning entries will also receive a gift card!
Winning artwork will be displayed at Trees Atlanta, featured on their website, and celebrated at the Gallery Opening. Even if you can’t attend, you can visit the gallery during office hours (Monday–Friday, 9AM–4PM) or check out the online showcase and blog post after the event.
✍️ How to Submit
All participants must complete the Arbor Day Art Contest Registration Form. Entries can be submitted digitally, by mail, or dropped off in person. Digital files should follow this naming format:LastName-FirstInitial-Grade-SchoolName Examples: “Doe-Jane-K-PerkersonElem” or “Doe-John-12-SouthAtlantaHS”
🎨 Accepted Formats
| Category | Formats Accepted | Size/Length | File Types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visual Art | Drawing, painting, collage, photography, comics | 8.5” x 11” to 14” x 18” | .png, .jpg |
| Writing | Poetry, story, essay | 100–500 words | .pdf, .png, .jpg |
| Film/Video | Video essay, live action, animation | Max 2 minutes, 100MB | .mov, .mp4 |
🌳 More Arbor Day Fun
Trees Atlanta will also host:
- Free tree seedling adoption days
- Tree planting projects
- Classes at the Kendeda TreeHouse and local schools
- And of course, the announcement of our talented contest winners!
Explore the full lineup of events at
Let’s celebrate the beauty of trees and the brilliance of young minds.Plant creativity. Grow community. Share your vision. We can’t wait to see where your imagination takes root!
