Submit Your Artwork for a Chance to Win $500!

Fairy tales typically begin in faraway kingdoms. This year they’re happening at school! ESS is pleased to host an art contest inviting students in grades K-12 to create original artwork inspired by this year’s theme:

Once upon a school day, a fairy tale came to life. What happened next?

Whether your masterpiece is drawn, painted, or created digitally, we can’t wait to see the enchanted school day your imagination creates.

How to Enter

Create your artwork based on the theme, “Once upon a school day, a fairy tale came to life. What happened next?” Submit your artwork using the form on this page by Sunday, December 13, 2026 at 8:00 PM ET.

What’s at Stake?

Grand Prize

Each winning student will receive a $500 gift card, plus $500 for their school!

National Recognition

The top five finalists in each grade group will be featured on our national Facebook and Instagram for public voting.

Important Dates

Public Voting

Finalists will be showcased on the ESS social media pages for voting during the week of January 25, 2027.

Winner Announcement

Tune in to our social media on Wednesday, February 3, 2027, to see who wins!

Important Information

How to Enter

Don't miss your chance to showcase your creativity – click here for instructions on how to enter the 2027 ESS Art Contest!

Art Contest Submission Form


Thank you and good luck!

 

 

ESS Art Contest Hall of Fame

Each year, our talented student artists inspire us with their creativity and imagination. Take a look back at the incredible artwork from past ESS Art Contest winners and celebrate the students who have earned their place in our Hall of Fame.

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 winning artwork from the 2025 ESS Art Contest depicting teenage students among animals in a jungle classroom setting

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 winning artwork from the 2025 ESS Art Contest depicting jungle animals and one human girl working at desks in a jungle science classroom

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, LA
“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”