
Calling Young Artists!
The ESS Art Contest is an annual celebration of creativity, talent, and student expression. Each year, winners from four grade groups are selected and recognized for their outstanding artwork, with winning pieces featured and celebrated across ESS channels. Winners receive a $500 American Express gift card, plus $500 for their school!
While this year’s contest is not currently active, we invite you to scroll below to explore artwork from previous years’ winners and see the incredible creativity shared by K-12 students across the country. The new theme is typically announced in December, so keep an eye out if a child you know would like to participate.
2026 Winners
Imagine a day at school where toys come to life.
What would your day look like?

Chloe Lee (17)
Saginaw Arts and Sciences Academy
Saginaw Public Schools, MI
“A New Student from Magic Land"

Danielle Wong (11)
Walnut Elementary School
Walnut Valley Unified School District, CA
“A Magical School Day with My Toy Friends"

Annabelle Mattson (13)
Lower Dauphin Middle School
Lower Dauphin School District, PA
“The Toys Slayed and Barbie Ate/Left No Crumbs"

Ryan Maharjan (7)
Cox Mill Elementary School
Cabarrus County Schools, NC
“Crazy Day With Live Toys"
2025 Winners
Imagine going to school in a zoo.
What would your day be like?

Ella Craig (14)
Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts
Hamilton County Schools, TN
“Classroom Chaos"

Tong Fei Chou (9)
Fort Lee School No. 2
Fort Lee Public Schools, NJ
“The BEST School Day"

Catalina Bors (13)
Piedmont Middle School
Union County Public Schools, NC
“The Science Enclosure"

Skye Belgutei (7)
Challenge School
Cherry Creek Schools, CO
“Jungle Book"
2024 Winners
Imagine going to school underwater.
What would your day be like?

Faith Daan (17)
Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts
Hamilton County Schools, TN
“Tardy Tails to the School of Fish"

Alice He (10)
Wildwood Elementary School
East Baton Rouge Parish School System, CA
“Underwater School Adventure"

Emily Im (11)
Robert C. Fisler School
Fullerton School District, CA
“Ocean Academy"

Hayden Harrell (7)
Allemands Elementary
St. Charles Parish Public Schools System, LA
“Seaschool"
2023 Winners
If you could take a school field trip anywhere, where would you go?

Sherry Yang (18)
Live Oak High School
Livingston Parish Public Schools, LA
“Agricultural Era”

Jacob Li (10)
Live Oak Middle School
Livingston Parish Public Schools, LA
“Protect the Earth”

Alice Lim (12)
River Valley Middle School
Greater Clark County Schools, IN
“Field Trip to Cambodia”

Bryce Cao (7)
Green Hope Elementary School
Wake County Public School System, NC
“Adventurous Underground Exploration”
2022 Winners
What would it be like to go to a school made of candy?

Mia Gonzalez (14)
Parrish Community High School
School District of Manatee County, FL
“Lane to the Schoolhouse of Sweets”

Priscilla Hsieh (9)
Fort Lee School No. 3
Fort Lee Public Schools, NJ
“Sugar Wonderland”

Bobby Chen (13)
Glasgow Middle School
East Baton Rouge Parish School System, LA
“Sweet Surprise”

Kyle Wang (7)
Buchanan Elementary School
East Baton Rouge Parish School System, LA
“Learning the Sweet Lessons”
2021 Winners
What would it be like to go to school for superheroes?

Faith Daan (14)
Chattanooga High School Center for Creative Arts
Hamilton County Schools, TN
“Young Chaos”

Olivia Wilmes (11)
Cuivre Park Elementary School
Lincoln County R-III School District, MO
“How Not to Be a Villain 101”

Jake Roper (13)
Pleasant Grove Junior High School
Alpine School District, UT
“Botany Class at Wind Crest Super School”

Anika Singh (8)
Devon Elementary School
Tredyffrin/Easttown School District, PA
“Covid Free School with Superheroes”
2020 Winners
What would it be like if animals could be teachers, principals, or school staff?

Rachel Lee (16)
Walnut High School
Walnut Valley Unified School District, CA
"Elevated Learning”

Thia-Paola Kazandzhieva (8)
Waterbridge Elementary School
Orange County Public Schools, FL
"Wild Life Elementary"

Zandria-Zea Hall (14)
Butler Intermediate High School
Butler Area School District, PA
"Mr. Andrews"

Allison Chan (7)
Isbell Elementary School
Frisco Independent School District, TX
"Ocean Elementary"
2019 Winners
What would it be like to have class in outer space?

Shonte Mabry (15)
Hoke County High School
Hoke County Schools, NC
“Out of Orbit”

Nicole Chee (10)
North Star Elementary School
Red Clay Consolidated School District, DE
“Outer Space’s the Limit to Our Knowledge”

Saanvi Vavilala (14)
Brooklawn Middle School
Parsippany Troy-Hills Township Schools, NJ
“Solo-Astra Junior High”

Jai Modi (7)
North Star Elementary School
Red Clay Consolidated School District, DE
“Class in Outer Space”