She Started It – Annual Student Art Contest

September 21, 2022

Utah women make history, but they’re often missing from our textbooks, classrooms, and public art. We need your help to change that!

Our annual student art contest is open for submissions through January 25, 2023. Winners in each age category will receive cash awards and prizes from Utah businesses, and they’ll be displayed at the State Capitol on at our student event on February 22! 2D-format artwork will also have the opportunity to be part of a special traveling exhibit with the Utah Division of Arts & Museums. Download the flyer for all the details, and submit your art here!

Students grades 4-12: Create an original piece of art portraying a woman in Utah history who made a difference in your community. Submit a high-res photo or two of the artwork and a 300-word artist statement telling us:

• Why you chose the woman you portrayed,
• What she did for your community,
• How your artwork tells her story, AND
• What you’re inspired to do to build on her legacy of leadership.

Judges will evaluate entries based on:

• Interpretation of theme
• Creativity
• Clarity
• Artist Statement
• Originality (extra points for highlighting a woman who isn’t already featured in an illustration at utwomenshist.wpenginepowered.com/bios

Educators: Share this contest with your students and consider making it a class assignment! We have lesson plans, scavenger hunts, virtual field trips, and more activities to get your students thinking. It’s also a great question to ask parents, relatives, or the local historical society.

Check out the virtual exhibit of past winning entries here!