🎨 Visual Arts - "I Belong"

What is Visual Art?

Visual art means YOU create something people can SEE that shows your thoughts and ideas about the theme "I Belong!"

What KIND of Art Can I Make?

SO MANY OPTIONS! Choose whatever you love:

Drawing & Painting:

• ✏️ Drawing (pencil, pen, marker, crayon)
• 🎨 Painting (watercolor, acrylic, tempera)
• 🖼️ Digital art (made on computer or tablet)
• 🖨️ Printmaking

Crafts & Building:

• ✂️ Collages (cutting and pasting things together)
• 🏗️ Architecture (designing buildings - 2D or 3D)
• 🪵 Carpentry (building with wood)
• 🧱 Dioramas (3D scenes in a box)
• 🪁 Kites
• 🔔 Wind chimes
• 📱 Mobiles (hanging art that moves)

Sculpture & 3D Art:

• 🗿 Sculpture (clay, paper mache, etc.)
• 🏺 Ceramics/pottery
• 🧶 Fiber work (weaving, sewing, yarn art)
• 💍 Jewelry making
• 🔨 Metal work

Mixed Media:

• 📰 Photographic collages (cutting and pasting YOUR photos)
• 🎨 Design projects
• ✨ And MORE!

The list goes on! If it's visual art, you can probably use it!

What Will the Judges Look For?

Judges want to see:

1. ✨ How your art shows the theme "I Belong"
2. 🎨 Your original, creative ideas
3. 💭 Your artistic vision (the feeling or message you want to share)

Things That Make Your Art Great:

• Colors you choose
• Textures (rough, smooth, bumpy)
• Shapes and sizes
• How everything works together
• Clear connection to "I Belong"

Can I Use Digital Tools or Apps?

YES! You can use:

• Drawing tablets
• Art apps (like Procreate, Adobe Fresco, etc.)
• Digital design programs
• Computer graphics

BUT REMEMBER: The computer/app is just your tool, like a paintbrush! YOU must come up with the idea and create the design yourself.

IMPORTANT: On your entry form, write down what tools you used (like "iPad + Procreate app" or "colored pencils and markers").

Important Copyright Rules

⚠️ What You CANNOT Use:

• ❌ Copying someone else's artwork
• ❌ Tracing cartoon characters (Mickey Mouse, Pikachu, etc.)
• ❌ Printing pictures from the internet
• ❌ Copying or enlarging existing artwork
• ❌ Using someone else's photos

✅ What You CAN Use:

• ✅ Magazine clippings to CREATE something NEW (like in a collage)
• ✅ Newspaper cutouts as PART of your original art
• ✅ YOUR OWN photos cut up for collages
• ✅ Logos or brands if they're just small background details
• ✅ Nature, people, places you see in real life

The Big Idea: Everything in your art must be YOUR original creation! You can use pieces of other things (like magazine pictures) ONLY if you're creating something totally NEW.

Size & Submission Requirements

📐 For FLAT Art (2D - like paintings, drawings):

• Maximum size: 24×30 inches (including any mat/border)
• Must be mounted: Put your art on cardboard or poster board so it's sturdy
• NO FRAMES! Just mount it on something flat
• Take a photo: You need at least ONE digital photo of your artwork
• Photo format: JPEG, JPG, or PNG

🗿 For 3D Art (sculptures, ceramics, mobiles):

• Take 3 photos: Show your art from different angles (front, side, top, etc.)
• Photo format: JPEG, JPG, or PNG
• Must be sturdy: Nothing that falls apart easily or has loose pieces
• Must survive travel: Make sure it won't break if it gets moved

📝 All Artwork:

• Write your info on the BACK (not the front!)
• Must be NEW (made just for this contest)
• Only YOUR work (no help creating it from adults)

How Do I Submit My Art?

Step 1: Create your artwork
Step 2: Make sure it follows all the rules above
Step 3: Take photo(s) of your artwork

• 2D art = 1 photo
• 3D art = 3 photos from different angles
  Step 4:  Fill out the student entry form in English or Spanish 
• Write down what materials you used
• Write down any digital tools/apps you used
  Step 5: Turn in your artwork, photos, and form by October 24, 2025

Where to submit: Email perrineaotapta@gmail.com

Quick Checklist Before You Submit:

For 2D Art:

• [ ] My artwork is 24×30 inches or smaller
• [ ] It's mounted on sturdy material (not framed)
• [ ] I took at least 1 digital photo of it
• [ ] My info is on the back
• [ ] I created it all by myself

For 3D Art:

• [ ] I took 3 photos from different angles
• [ ] Nothing will fall off or break easily
• [ ] My info is labeled on the art
• [ ] I created it all by myself

For All Art:

• [ ] It shows the theme "I Belong"
• [ ] It's brand new (made for this contest)
• [ ] I wrote down what materials/tools I used
• [ ] Photos are JPEG, JPG, or PNG format

Art Ideas to Get You Started!

💭 Think about what makes YOU belong:

• Your family traditions
• Places you feel safe and happy
• Things you love to do
• Your cultural background
• Friends who accept you
• Hobbies that make you feel like yourself

Show "I Belong" in YOUR unique artistic way!

Remember!

🌟 Every artist is celebrated!
🌟 Simple art can be just as powerful as complex art
🌟 YOUR style and vision are what matter
🌟 There's no "wrong" way to create!
🌟 Have FUN making your masterpiece!

Questions? Ask David Villeta at perrineaotapta@gmail.com

Full official rules: Florida PTA Reflections Program