Student Art Contest 2024-25
September 10, 2024
Some of our previous winners with their families at the opening of the “She Started It” exhibition in Heber City, September 2023.
We’re pleased to announce the return of our annual “She Started It” art contest for students in grades 4 – 12! Utah women make history, but they’re often missing from our textbooks. Students can research a woman in Utah history and submit original artwork about her for the opportunity to win cash and other prizes, plus winning artwork will be part of a Women’s History Month exhibit at Mestizo Coffeehouse! Download the contest flier here, view the submission link below, or read on for full details.
Submit to the contest here
The task: Create an original piece of art about a woman in Utah history who made a difference in your community. Submissions can be 2D or 3D, using any materials. You’ll submit a photo (or two) for our judges.
Next, compose an artist statement explaining the connection between your art and the woman you portrayed. You can submit either a one page double-spaced essay or a 2-minute video. Please tell us:
- Why you chose to highlight this woman,
- What she did for your community,
- How your artwork tells her story, and
- What she inspires you to do.
Contest Dates: Artist submissions are open until 11:59 pm on Friday, January 31, 2025. Winners will be notified in early February and will be invited to come see their art displayed at the State Capitol for the Utah Women Making History student event on March 4, 2025. This display will then be on view at Mestizo Coffeehouse in Salt Lake City through the end of March.
Tips for a competitive submission: To find a woman to feature, you can search the bios on our site, visit a local museum, or interview a family member or community leader! For inspiration, check out this virtual exhibit of the winning art from 2021.
Judges will evaluate entries based on:
- Interpretation
- Creativity
- Clarity
- Originality
- Carefully composed artist statement