Calling All Young Artists!​

 

The Berrien County Conservation District is excited to announce a new annual art competition celebrating Stewardship Week! This year's theme, "Home is where the Habitat is," invites students to explore the importance of conservation and stewardship in our community.

 

Eligibility: Private, public, and homeschooled children age 6-19, currently enrolled in primary and secondary education, residing in Berrien County.

 

Theme: “Home is where the Habitat is”

 

"Home is where the Habitat is" encourages students to think creatively about the natural world of plants and animals and their environment.

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Learn more about Stewardship Week and the theme at: www.nacdnet.org/news-and-events/stewardship-week/​

 

Art Medium & Size: The artwork must be on a flat piece of paper, any size or shape in between 8.5 x 11 to 11 x 17. Any art medium is allowed as long as it will not rub off onto or stain clothing. All pieces using chalk, pastels, or activated charcoal must be sprayed to seal them, and all paintings must be completely dry before submission.​

 

Prizes and Recognition: All 1st & 2nd place winners, from the four different age categories, will have their original artwork presented at our 2025 Annual Tree Sale on May 2-3, 2025, our Native Plant Sale on May 21, and at our booth at the Berrien County Youth Fair on August 11-16, 2025, as well as on social media. Berrien County Conservation District Staff will wear winning t-shirt designs during our Tree Sale distribution on May 2-3, 2025.​

 

Winners will be chosen by a panel of three judges: two art experts and one representative from our Board of Directors. To prevent bias, all artwork will be judged anonymously.​

 

Age 6-9

• 1st Place: Butterfly House and a Free T-shirt*

• 2nd Place: Free T-shirt* and a Gift Card

 

Age 10-12 & 13-15

• 1st Place: Butterfly House, Butterfly Garden (a flat of butterfly attracting wildflowers), and a Free T-shirt*

• 2nd Place: Free T-shirt* and a Gift Card

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Age 16-19

• 1st Place: Butterfly House, Butterfly Garden (a flat of butterfly attracting wildflowers), and a Free T-shirt with their winning artwork design on it*

• 2nd Place: Free T-shirt with their winning artwork design on it* and a Gift Card.

 

*T-shirt featuring the winning artwork from the 16-19 age group.

 

Submission Guidelines:

One piece of artwork is allowed per child for submission. Artwork must be submitted in person, on or before April 3, 2025, at the Berrien County Conservation District office: 3334 Edgewood Rd., Berrien Springs, MI 49103. Our office is open M-F, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.​

 

ALL ART SUBMISSIONS MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ARTWORK INFORMATION SHEET AND PARENT/GUARDIAN RELEASE, AND ATTACHED TO THE BACK OF EACH PIECE OF ARTWORK. Anything submitted without the required sheet of artwork information and parent/guardian release will be disqualified.

 

Prize Pickup:

Prizes will be available for pickup at our Native Plant Sale on May 21, 2025, from 12–4 PM at the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds, 9122 US-31, Berrien Springs, MI 49103. Winners can opt to have their photo taken with their winnings and original piece of artwork at that time. Any uncollected prizes can be picked up at the Berrien County Conservation District office at 3334 Edgewood Rd., Berrien Springs, MI 49103, between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM, May 22 or 23, unless prior arrangements have been made.

 

T-shirts:

The top two designs from the 16-19 age group will have their artwork printed on a T-shirt and made available to the public for purchase at our Tree Sale on May 2, 10 AM – 6 PM and May 3, 9 AM – 1 PM and our Native Plant Sale on May 21, 12–4 PM (both the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds: 9122 US-31, Berrien Springs, MI 49103), and website, berriencd.org, for pickup at our office (3334 Edgewood Rd., Berrien Springs, MI 49103) M–F, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.

 

Schedule:

April 3: Deadline for Artwork Submissions at Berrien County Conservation District Office

April 7-14: Judging

April 24-25: Private announcement made to winners (via email or phone call)

April 28-May 1: Public announcement of winners via social media and website.

August 18-22: Original artwork may be picked up at the Berrien County Conservation District office from 8 AM – 4:30 PM.

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Don't miss this opportunity to showcase your artistic talents and promote conservation awareness!

 

For more information, contact us by phone at 269-471-9111 x 3, or email at berriencd@macd.org.