CULLMAN, Ala. – The Cullman County Master Gardeners fifth annual Youth Art Contest is happening now, with submissions due by Friday, Oct. 2, at 4 p.m.
Cullman County Extension Director Kira Sims, who also advises the Cullman County Master Gardeners, said participation in the art contest has increased each year. She said the Master Gardeners host more events each year, but this is the primary youth activity.
“They also host two plant sales in the spring and one in the fall (except this year) as a fundraiser,” Sims said. “They assist with garden-related activities with the Extension including helping with crop registration at the county fair.”
In fact, she said, crop registration is how the art contest began.
“The Master Gardeners’ involvement with the county fair sparked the idea to get more kids participating in fair activities (besides the rides),” Sims explained. “Not everyone has a garden, but many kids love to draw. The art contest has a different garden theme each year, and this year it is house plants and mushrooms. There are a few rules to follow, but there is an opportunity for cash prizes for the first-, second- and third-place winners of each grade! It is also a great opportunity for youth to learn about new plants — and fungi this year —because they have to write a few facts about what they draw.”
The art contest is open to youth in grades 1-6.
“They need to select a house plant or mushroom to draw and research a few facts about,” Sims said. “The Master Gardeners have provided a drawing sheet to use, along with all the instructions on our page. Some teachers are getting their students involved in the classroom, but any age-eligible youth can participate and work on the project at home.”
The drawings are due at the Extension Office by Friday, Oct. 2, at 4 p.m. (or can be turned in before).
“Many of the drawings, including the winners, will be displayed at the Cullman County Fair (Oct. 15-24),” she said, “and we encourage youth that participated to go find their drawing.”
Drawings can be picked up from the Cullman County Extension Office after the fair.
“This is a wonderful event for kids to participate in the fair and learn about plants without having a garden,” said Sims. “It is also an event many kids in the same family can participate in since the age range is so wide. We hope to see a lot of entries this year.”
For questions or to obtain drawing pages or instructions, call the Extension Office at
256-737-9386 or email Kira Sims at kira.sims@auburn.edu.
See the contest rules at www.aces.edu/go/artcontest.
