Art Contest

Calling all Artists

We're excited to announce our Ontario Streams Art Contest in celebration of our 30th Year Anniversary! Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting out, this is your chance to showcase your creativity and win awesome prizes!

How it Works

Anyone from Ontario is invited to enter the Ontario Streams Art Contest. Show off your artistic talents and learn about the diversity of plant and/or animal species that live in Ontario’s stream habitats. Click HERE to download the contest Entry Form (PDF) to mail in your artwork. Attach your entry form to your artwork and mail it to Ontario Streams 50 Bloomington Road, Aurora, Ontario, L4G 1P6. If you wish to enter online fill out the form below and upload a copy of your artwork. Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges. There will be 1 winner for each age category.

Only 1 entry per person will be accepted. All entries must include:

A completed Entry Form signed by a parent or guardian (if under 18 years of age)
The original artwork that complies with our requirements

Theme of Art Contest

Stream Biodiversity - Artwork showcasing the diversity of native plant and/or animal species that live in Ontario’s stream habitats. (Examples: A painting of the underwater plants and fish that live in the stream. A drawing of the stream banks and animals that use this habitat.)

Prizes

The first-place winners from each age category will receive a gift bag with a $50 value and have their artwork showcased on our social media platforms! Read the full webpage and Entry Page to ensure you are eligible for a chance to win the prizes!

Age Categories

Prizes will be selected for each age category listed below:

Ages 5-7
Ages 8-12
Ages 13-17
Ages 18 and up

Eligibility

The contest is open to anyone who is:

A resident of Ontario
Ages 5 and up

Artwork Requirements

The artwork must:

Highlight the native plant and/or animal species that can be found in an Ontario stream natural habitat
Be the contestant’s original, hand-made creation
Not exceed ¼ inches in thickness and 8½ x 11 inches in size
If you are submitting electronically, the scan must be a minimum 300 dpi resolution

You may use the medium and technique of your choosing, such as:

acrylics
oil
water colour
crayon
pencil crayon
markers
collage
printmaking

Non-eligible

Photographs, tracings, and computer-generated artwork will NOT be accepted.

NO lettering, signatures, or initials may appear on the front of the design.

Any Ontario Streams employees or close relatives to Ontario Streams employees will NOT be allowed to enter the Art Contest.

Important Dates

Contest opens: February 24, 2025
Contest closes: April 7, 2025
Winners announced: Earth Day April 22, 2025

Judging Process

A panel of five judges (3 Ontario Streams Staff, 2 local artists) will:

evaluate submissions using the judging criteria
select the top artworks for each grade group

Judging Criteria to Consider

Judges will evaluate entries based on the following criteria:

Adherence to theme (25%)
How well does the drawing align with the contest’s theme or prompt?
Does the artist interpret the theme in a thoughtful or unique way?
How accurately the artwork represents the stream’s natural habitat and the native species?
Technique & Skill (25%)
How well is the chosen medium (pencil, paint, digital, etc.) used?
How effectively are drawing techniques (line work, shading, blending, etc.) applied?
Creativity & Originality (25%)
How unique and fresh is the concept or idea behind the drawing?
Does the drawing reflect an inventive approach or concept?
Overall Impact (25%)
How strong is the overall visual impact when first seen?
Is the artwork something that stands out and is memorable?

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Selecting and Announcing the Winners

How to Enter

Online Submission

Fill out the form below
Make sure you attach your artwork
Submit!

Mail Submission

Download, print, complete the Entry Form (PDF), and attach to your artwork
Mail to:

Attn: Ontario Streams 50 Bloomington Road, Aurora, Ontario, L4G 1P6

Submit to the Art Contest

First Name:

Last Name:

Email:

Phone:

Age Range

Unit Number

Street Number

Street Name

PO Box

Postal Code

Art Entry Title

Medium Used (form of art i.e. paint, drawing, charcoal, etc)

I hereby certify that this is my original artwork and that it is not computer generated, a copy and/or tracing of published photographs, artwork, magazines, book illustrations, or other materials protected by copyright laws. I understand that Ontario Streams is not responsible for loss or damage to my artwork and/or composition. I grant exclusive rights to Ontario Streams to utilize my artwork for reproduction and promotional purposes and to display my art. I agree that my artwork may be used, altered, or published as they see fit without compensation to me. The collection of personal information is necessary to the proper administration of the Ontario Streams Art Contest. It will be used to contact the winners of the Ontario Streams Art Contest. For more information on the collection and use of your personal information, please contact Ontario Streams at (416) 677-8131 or outreach@ontariostreams.on.ca. If your submission is a winner, do you consent to the disclosure of your name and hometown by Ontario Streams to share to the media and on the Internet?

Enter your free text here

I agree to the statements above

Contestant Signature

Signature of Parent/Guardian

Date (yyyy-mm-dd)

Upload a PDF, PNG, or JPEG of your Artwork

Upload File

Art Contest Submission

Judging Criteria to Consider

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Selecting and Announcing the Winners

Online Submission

Mail Submission

Submit to the Art Contest

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