VFW Auxiliary Sponsors Patriotic Art Competition

By Margaret Scoles - Local Auxiliary Scholarship Chairperson

Each year, more than 4,000 high school students from across the country participate in the VFW Auxiliary's Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest. The contest began in 1979 to recognize up-and-coming artists and encourage patriotism in youth. There are 2 contests, two-dimensional and 3-Dimensional. Total scholarship awards are about $35,000. The first-place winner from each state competes for national awards totaling $5,500. In 2023, we were excited to have a state winner from our district.

Link to info and entry forms: https://vfwauxiliary.org/scholarships/young-american-creative-patriotic-art-contest/

The local Auxiliary judges the entries and gives a cash award to the first-place winner. If there are other worthy runners-up, additional cash awards are often made. The award is made at graduation if the winner is a senior. Otherwise, the awards are made at the annual High School Awards Ceremony.

Deadline for submission of artwork is March 31 to the local auxiliary, and we must forward the 1st prize artwork on to the state VFW Auxiliary by April 15. The winning entry at the state level is sent on to the national level for judging. Artwork is returned to the student.

Who is eligible to apply? Students in grades 9-12 by the March 31 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the United States, its territories and possessions; or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools. Foreign exchange students are not eligible.

Students should write an additional typed description of their entry. This written entry can make the difference in the final winning selection. If students are interested in the 3-Dimensional competition, there is a separate info sheet and entry form:

We are proud of the ongoing commitment of our local students to this Patriotic Art competition. It is one way we can show our appreciation of our veterans. We have had both district and state winners from our local area.

If you are a high school student interested in the competition, please speak to Kate Ruland, High School Art Teacher, [email protected] or Margaret Scoles, scolesmargaret @gmail.com. The contest is open to all students, whether or not they are enrolled in an art class.