The Buzzy's Art Contest 2025-2026

Ends on

CALLING ALL YOUNG ARTISTS!    All Pre-K – 12th grade students enrolled in the Starkville Oktibbeha School District are invited to submit art to the Buzzy's Art Contest.    Important Guidelines for Submissions:    All submissions are made online by uploading a digital photo or file of an original work of art. PLEASE DO NOT EMAIL SUBMISSIONS. Any email submissions will not be considered.

Students are welcome to submit artwork in all four categories, but only ONE entry per category:   

  • 2D – Drawing (pencil, crayon, pen, color pencil), Painting (on paper, canvas, wood), Collage, Digital Drawing (not a digital photography but an original drawing made using computer technology such as Adobe Illustrator), or Mixed Media (a work made using a combination of materials).
  • Sculpture/3D – Clay (ex. figures, pots), Paper Maché, Fiber (quilts/textile), Metal, Wood (no Legos or assemblages of toys)
  • Photography – Digital or Print
  • Creative Writing – Short Story, Poetry

Still not sure which category to enter? We can help! Please email your question and a photo of the artwork to starkvillepto.buzzys@gmail.com.  

Guidelines for 2D, Sculpture, and Photography: 

  1. All art must be recent, created between January 2025 and January 2026.
  2. Artwork does not have to be framed but must be stable (not torn, crumpled, or falling apart). *If framed, please do not frame with glass so you may take a good photograph)
  3. Do not place any names, signatures, titles, or identifying labels on the front of your work or in the submitted photo of your work.
  4. Each entry requires a separate submission.
  5. Artwork image must be a Jpeg (jpg) file.
  6. Name the file the title of the artwork. For example AmazingPaintingofBird.jpeg
  7. Image must be in focus and cropped to show only the artwork (for example do not show someone holding the work).
  8. Artwork MUST be original to the student (no copyrighted characters are used). It's ok to be inspired by the world around you, BUT you should not directly copy someone else's idea. Please DO NOT submit works with characters from popular TV shows, cartoons, comics, movies, video games, sports logos, and websites including guided YouTube tutorials. If you created your artwork in a class for school, please tell us what class and the teacher who instructed you. Failure to credit sources will impact the juror's review and the ability for submitted artwork to appear in the final online gallery exhibit. For more on originality, refer to the sample judging rubric.
  9. Visit starkvillesd.com/news to download and review the judging rubrics for each category.  

Guidelines for Creative Writing: 

  1. Each entry requires a separate submission.
  2. Submissions may be handwritten or typed.
  3. Submissions should be no longer than 5 pages.
  4. Do not place any names, signatures, or identifying labels on the front of your work or in the submitted file of your work.
  5. Submission files may be jpeg, doc, or pdf. 
  6. Name the file the title of the writing. For example TheStoryofMyLife.pdf
  7. If submitting a photograph of the writing, the image must be in focus so the juror can read the submission.
  8. Writing MUST be original to the student (no copyrighted characters are used). It's ok to be inspired by the world around you, BUT you should not directly copy someone else's idea. Please DO NOT submit works with characters from popular TV shows, cartoons, comics, movies, video games, sports logos, and websites including guided YouTube tutorials. If you created your writing in a class for school, please tell us what class and the teacher who instructed you. Failure to credit sources will impact the juror's review and the ability for submitted artwork to appear in the final online gallery exhibit. For more on originality, refer to the sample judging rubric.

HOW TO SUBMIT - DO NOT EMAIL SUBMISSIONS. All submissions must be made online through Submittable. If you have questions, please email stakvillepto.buzzyz@gmail.com or contact your school - we want all children to be able to submit. Due to the large amount of submissions, failure to follow any of the guidelines will cause elimination. To see examples of work from previous Buzzy's competition visit: caad.msstate.edu/exhibitions/2021/buzzys-art-contest 

Tentative TIMELINE: 

  • DEADLINE to Submit online: January 30, 2026 
  • Artwork & Writing Judged: February 23, 2026 
  • After judging is complete, families of students receiving award recognitions will be notified by Submittable through email (the account used in Submittable). Please make sure to check your junk mail box for notifications.
  • Awards Ceremony: February 23, 2026 at 6pm at the Greensboro Center (401 Greensboro St, Starkville, MS) Stay tuned for emails with updated information. Award Winners will be invited to any events. If you have any questions, please contact starkvillepto.buzzys@gmail.com.
We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.
Submit!