When your kid makes a piece of art, they’re also building confidence, processing feelings, and creating connections. That’s what we’re celebrating with the Outschool Visual Arts Showcase—and your kid could win up to $1,000 USD* in prize value, a one-year Outschool Membership and a billboard in Times Square!






My name is Aarya, and I love drawing animals. I was inspired to create this piece because I enjoy studying how animals look and trying to capture their expressions and personalities. I especially liked working on the eyes and fur to make the drawing come alive. This artwork makes me feel proud and excited, and it inspires me to keep practicing and getting better at art.

The fish were a great joy for the piece and the curves of water I thought added a great look. I did the background in acrylic paint and the fish in Sharpie, some I DID NOT SHARPIE. I like any type of art as long I'm DOING ART and HAVING FUN! Because ART IS NOT ART IF YOU ARE NOT HAVING FUN.

What inspires me to make this is The animal grooming truck I saw outside my house. my favorite part was the puppies. The smaller parts represent that they are far away the and the bigger ones represent. They are closer in the picture. my other favorite part was the rainbow with the crown, unicorn horn and puppy ears.


My name is Leni Gless. I am 11 years and am a 6th grader in Chapel Hill, NC. I love to write stories and draw scenes from my stories to make it come to life. The stories I am currently writing, “Knights of the Impossible”, inspired this drawing. It shows the two main characters from my book, Ariana and her dragon Juco, in their kingdom. The cherry trees around the castle are what make the kingdom special. It makes me feel excited to continue writing my story and draw more scenes.

Hi. My name is Evelyn. I have been making art since I could use my hands. This piece began as a prompt in one of my art classes but ended up being one of my most treasured works. To me, this piece portrays sadness and loneliness. I hope it makes you feel something as well.

My art was inspired by the wide open prairies of America. On my cross country road trip to South Dakota I found my love for Prairie sunsets. When I think of the Prairie, it makes me feel free like every hill and sunset holds a new beginning or fresh start. I chose to use Linda Stephen’s style of art to make my prairie sunset because I wanted to experiment with collages.
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I enjoy Lego's, reading, building science kits, gaming, nature, and spending time with my family and friends. I also like baseball, swimming, diving, and taekwondo. My art piece was inspired by my uncle. It is colorful with a splash of teeth added in to make the piece Awsome with a dinosaur twist.

This piece shows my peaceful moment of resting in nature with animals. I was inspired by how calm it can feel to lie in the grass and spend time around animals. It makes me feel relaxed and reminds us to appreciate quiet moments and the outdoors. I made it with gauche and colored pencils, more of a mixed media piece.

This piece was inspired by a dream I had where I was walking through a garden of mushrooms with eyes and the sky was clear blue, so I decided to make a piece of my dream from memory so I can remember that dream over and over again. It reminds me of the days where I always loved to play with plants and flowers in my back yard. That activity always made me happy.

The first thing I notice when I look at something is its color. I’ve been doing art for about a year. I mostly draw people but also enjoy drawing realistic things from a reference. I taught myself how to use Procreate by watching other artists online. I always listen to music when I draw. While I was drawing this, I was listening to “The Sound of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel. The candle makes me feel satisfied at how the light and color blend together to create a realistic image.

As a cancer survivor, I am always trying to make up for my own perceived loss of time during treatment. Often I work like a machine - balancing school, dance, kickline, acrobatics, work, art and time with my friends. Similarly, dance requires perfection. There is no gray. You either nail it or you don’t. This creates tremendous stress which I struggled with for many years. The juxtaposition of the dancer and the machinery represents how I am overwhelmed by my own expectations.

I am entering my art because the ocean inspires me so much. It is something my mom and I both love and it makes me feel happy and calm. I recently got to go scuba diving and seeing life underwater was way better than learning in a book. I love nature and animals and the ocean has so much of both. It is powerful but also peaceful. I love sitting with my mom, watching the sunset, and talking. Those moments are special to me and mean a lot. I love painting scenes, and my mom loves watching me.


I drew this because I love snakes and all the tiny details about them, their scales and eyes as they can be like human eyes or slits like cats and I have been practicing drawing hands for a bit and I am extremely happy with this peice and I hope that it means something.

Hi, I am Alyssa. I was inspired to draw this piece because I love dogs and plan to volunteer at a shelter in the future. I heard that black dogs tend to stay in shelters longer because they are less likely to be adopted. I hope this drawing inspires others to volunteer at a dog shelter or adopt a dog.



this painting is using acrylic, It is my best painting featuring a man following a light with faith, I love this painting for all of the different meaning to it, i don't paint often but when I do I like it as a side project, I also play soccer, piano and I love singing!!

I came up with this piece on my own. I saw him in my head and I knew how I wanted Kai to look. I created him for an online role playing class. I drew him with one of his antlers broken because when I first introduced Kai he had run into a wall out of confusion. I call this piece “Liquid Prayers” because words cannot always relay how you feel, and sometimes you just got to let the tears fall and let people see that you feel. When I look at kai in this piece I feel like giving him a big hug.

My name is Misha I am from Tampa Florida. I was inspired by my cat, Hunter, and my dad who is a musician. I am also a musician who is learning to play the piano and the guitar. The reason I picked a cat is because I love cats so much, and I picked a piano because I am learning the piano. I made a digital art using Procreate which I have learned thanks to Outschool and Ms. Uli. I used different gradients and some special brushes to create a lovable character Rock Star Kitty.

My name is Emmelyn and my out school teacher inspired me to paint this piece. I love fall and going outside drinking my hot cocoa. This piece reminds me of being at my grandmas house in the fall and all of the beautiful changing leaves. It makes me feel calm and helps me remember them.

Arya is a creative young artist who loves drawing fun and expressive characters. Her artwork, Party Panda, shows her playful imagination and love for animals, with a cheerful panda ready to celebrate. Through her drawings, Arya brings joy, personality, and creativity to life.

My name is Madissan, and I enjoy expressing myself through art. I created this drawing as a way to practice and improve my shading skills, which is something I’ve been really interested in learning. I wanted to see how I could use light and dark values to make my artwork look more realistic and detailed. This piece was inspired by my desire to challenge myself and grow as an artist. While working on it, I focused on blending and adding depth to bring the drawing to life. Art makes me feel good.
I originally planned to make an AWESOME obby animation, but sadly, it was too much, and either way, the animation I showed to you guys is better. I'm kinda shy, I like to animate simple things, and I was inspired by the animation by what I wished I could do IRL. The animation makes me feel a little disappointed; it isn't what I thought I would make, and it kinda sucks. But it still works. Also, the name "Down but not done" comes from one scene from the animation. I hope I get a good score! bye!

Hi! I am Rafael and my piece is a mix of all things I love. It's a fantasy world called Owlia, the creature with the big nose is a dragon I created called Pigspikoop, I drew myself on top of a hill with my dog Yogi, an owl (my favorite animal) perched on my shoulder and a creature called Flybei. I'm from Colombia and the bird I drew at the right bottom corner is a type of bird there. I love history and aviation so I drew a castle and planes flying in the background, one on a runway platform.

I named my drawing, "My Wise Friend," because owls remind me of wisdom and quiet strength. As the oldest child in my family, I help take care of my younger siblings and try to be a good example of responsibility, like the owl. My faith in the Lord inspires me the most, because He helps guide me to be loving, strong, and wise like the owl. This art makes me feel calm and thoughtful, and it reminds me that even quiet people can be strong leaders who help others.

Howdy! I created my Barnside Blooms piece with air dry clay and old wood from a barn. Making this made me excited because I took some of my favorite flowers I see by my cow barn and sculpted them to last a lifetime. I was inspired by spring time and wanting to have flowers that are vibrant year round.
Hi, I’m Zayden! Digital art inspires me because it helps me connect with people in ways words can’t. I used existing video clips to create something new through my own editing and digital art. I like turning moments into feelings people can experience. Creating this helped me see what’s possible when I use my creativity. I made it myself without AI.

This piece was inspired by a nature walk that I took with my family. I used real sticks, tree bark, and leaves that I found in the woods to show how beautiful the forest is. I also showed a lot of animals because I love seeing them in the woods--except the bear! Looking at my art reminds me how peaceful and quiet I feel in the forest. I want to be a conservationist when I grow up so I can help all kids enjoy nature.


My name is Isla and i have been drawing for three years. This piece of art was inspired by my trip to Galapagos where I saw lots and lots of sea lions. I even swam with them in the ocean!!!. I am really happy how it turned out. The thing I like most about the drawing is the eyes!!!!!

My English name is Murphy I play baseball and is a big fan of dodgers. Once I watched “Interstellar” I am interested in planets so I create this to show how small humans and civilizations are to the universe. this makes me feel joyful because I love to express my feeling to others this artwork gives me a feeling of awe.


My name is Roan and I like the Legend of Zelda. I was inspired by a guardian stalker. It makes me feel happy and like my hard work is good. It also makes me feel like I did a really good job.

This painting represents the love I have for animals. And yes, I’m the kind of kid who watches a bird feeder for hours. When I spot a small sparrow, I don’t view him as an annoyance; I see him as a creature who has friends, a life, and a personality. This mountain lion’s gaze shows the trauma he’s experienced, the loss he has endured, and life he has known. It inspires me to know that even when life is tough, there is always a way out.


Hello! I'm Nora, and I love to draw. I have been drawing since I could hold a crayon and hope to be an artist some day! I love digital art and like drawing people, realism, hands, eyes, or just simple characters!

Hello! This is my entry for the art contest. It took me about… 4-6 hours? I made the setting during sundown, because i thought it looked better compared to the lighting during day/night. The girl in the middle is one of my characters that I’ve been drawing for 2 years. I wanted to highlight her while the other people blend into the background. The ideas just been sitting in my mind for a while but i never got the chance to draw it until now!

I made this picture because I love drawing happy places with bright colors. My family calls me their rainbow sunshine baby, and I like making cheerful worlds with my imagination. I drew stars, houses, trees, and a snowman to show that winter can be warm and joyful. Art makes me feel free. I like being creative, and this picture makes me feel peaceful and happy inside.


Arabian Horse on the Mountain top! Horses inspired me to make this piece of art! I love horses and I hope to become a veterinarian one day!

My name is Blake. I am 17 years old, and I’ve been making art since I could hold a crayon. Marine biology has always inspired me. In this piece, I contrast bright, eye-catching colors with darker elements to reflect both the beauty of marine ecosystems and the dangers they face.

My grandparents live in Rome and I would like visit London and Rome. It’s a magical bridge that can take you to different places. The colors are bright and make me feel happy. My favorite parts are the Colosseum and the colors of the water. The person on the bridge is me.


My artwork is called “Circle of Leaves.” I painted it on a real plate and divided the circle into eight sections. Three sections represent the seasons that have leaves: spring, summer, and fall. The other five sections show leaves in different colors such as purple, orange, yellow, red, and green. I used contrasting colors in the background to make the leaves stand out. Leaves are beautiful and colorful, and they make me feel calm and happy.

This is the original version of Godzilla. During his first appearance in 1954 he was black and white, so I decided that using his original colors would keep a faithful design to his debut appearance, and would also feel original for today's standards. Without his first appearance and that original idea of him the franchise of Godzilla would have never started in the first place, so choosing this design is meant to give respect to the first model that ever came out.

Hi! I'm Esme and I love drawing hedgehogs, acrylic painting, and paper quilling my own designs. My submission is of my new cousin, Lucy. Lucy has a cute turned-up nose like my aunt does, and I love her so much. I am proud of my drawing of her because I used all of the drawing skills I know: shading, blending, and making the shapes before drawing the details.

I’m obsessed with nature. Our family spends half the year doing van life around the country. Mostly visiting beautiful mountains and oceans. This special painting which is 6’ tall was inspired by my hikes through the forests of California. I did a whole series of paintings called “Nature”. The green and blue represent the sky and the orange is for the sunlight. I take art classes 2x week from Ms Jennifer on Outschool and I’m super inspired by the abstract artists I’m learning about in her class

I get really sleepy in math class. To keep myself awake, I often doodle. I started to draw snakes because it just felt natural. After school, I look up some snake pictures - and then, I start drawing. Drawing these snakes is a lot harder than it looks! And then - BOOM! - I drew this snake.

Hello 👋 I am Finlay and I LOVE drawing dragons! This piece was inspired by my favourite book series 'Wings Of Fire' and it's this dragon's final moments of peace before venturing out to battle at dawn, wondering if it will be his last. It makes me realize how far I have come with my art and dragon drawings.

My name is Stella; my Outschool teacher Mrs. Roxy referred me to participate in this showcase. This art was inspired by a favorite character of mine from a show I like. This piece was created using, colored pencils, ink, and markers. I feel happy and proud when I look at it!

I live in Alaska I love animals, horses are my favorite animal. I have 2 pet parakeets, 2 pet cats, and 3 pet goats. I painted this piece in my watercolor class. I have never been very confident in drawing/painting people, this is one of the first paintings I have done of a person and I am very proud of how it turned out.

My name is Naree and I am 9 years old. This art piece makes me feel proud of myself for making this. The thing that inspired this piece was my mind. The idea just simply popped into my mind; a mermaid drifting through the sea with fish, holding a bubble.

What inspired me is the big tree outside my window. I look out at it on breezy nights and at dawn, and it makes me feel cozy. I love cats, so I added a big cat that the elf at the top of the tree (who is drinking the cup of tea and eating a leftover piece of chocolate cake) rides. I added fireflies because I love when there are nice warm nights and I can catch fireflies.



I'm from Canada where there is lots of snow right now. I enjoy going to the zoo and watching the snow leopards. When I look at the snow leopard in my picture, I think about how much I love to go outside and play in the snow. I like to build snow forts, have snow ball fights and go for snowmobile rides. I also like to play with my 2 out door cats who remind me of the snow leopard.




Hello!! My name is Elyssa, and I’ve been drawing before I can remember, but started getting more into art at about 9 years old. I love both led sketching and drawing with colored pencils, so I figured I’d combine the two! This drawing is a recreation of a drawing that I made a few years back. I love animals, and I really hope this drawing inspires people to take care of and protect the environment, as well as the creatures being affected by litter and deforestation every day. Thank you! :D

These Outschool art teachers are experts in their fields and champions of creativity.




Whether your kid is just starting their creative journey or has a project ready to go, you’ll find classes that meet them where they are and bring out their best.
Learners ages 6 to 18 in the United States, United Kingdom, (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland only), Australia and Canada (excluding Quebec) (see showcase rules for regional participation limits and award eligibility details) can enter if their family has an active Outschool Membership or enrollment. New to Outschool? Become a member today!
Not at all! The Visual Arts Showcase is open to every eligible learner, whether they’re new to creating art or already taking classes. They don’t need to be enrolled in an Outschool art class to participate. What matters most is their creativity, effort, and artistic voice.
Log in to your Outschool account and fill out the form above. Upload a high-resolution image or a 1-minute video of your learner’s artwork (vertical 9x16 preferred; max 150MB) and add the artwork’s title plus a note about why your learner chose it. If you have trouble uploading, check our troubleshooting tips or contact Outschool Support for help.
Make sure to enter using the parent email linked to your Outschool account. If a teacher invited you to the Showcase, add their profile link so we can thank them. Submitting for more than one learner? Fill out a new form for each.
Artwork should connect to the theme, ‘Something That Inspires Me,’ and must be original and created by the learner. If your learner uses any material they did not create themselves, it must be clearly changed into something new and original, not just copied or lightly edited. AI tools may not be used to create any part of the artwork. Learn more about our submission guidelines here.
Our team reviews your learner’s artwork to make sure it meets the showcase rules and submission guidelines. This could take up to a week. You’ll get an email once it’s in the Showcase. Keep an eye on this page for updates. Entries will appear here when ‘Showcase Favorite’ voting begins on or around March 13.
Submissions can’t be edited once they’ve been sent, so be sure to review your upload and entry form carefully before submitting. Each learner can have only one entry in the Showcase, and judges will review only one submission per participant.
Outschool’s teacher judges review entries for creativity and originality. Learners submit their work in one of two categories: Physical Art (e.g., drawing or painting) or Digital Art (e.g., animation or digital illustration). One finalist is chosen in each age group for each category. Showcase Favorite voting happens on the Showcase page and is open to those aged 18 or older. Public voting for Showcase Favorite is open only to individuals who are legal residents of jurisdictions where participation is lawful. Notwithstanding the foregoing, residents of Canada are not eligible to participate in the public voting portion of the Contest.
Finalists are featured in the live virtual event, and the Showcase Favorite winner is decided by public vote. Entries from Canada are eligible for judging and award selection in all categories except for public voting for the Showcase Favorite award.
The live virtual Showcase will be hosted by Outschool on April 25. It’s a free celebration of the finalists and their artwork, featuring judges and moments highlighting each artist’s creative process and inspiration. Families can join to view the artwork, hear directly from the artists, and celebrate their creativity together.
Two Grand Prize winners, one in each category, each receive a $500 USD Outschool Gift Card, a $500 USD Amazon Gift Card, a featured placement on a Times Square digital billboard, and a one-year Outschool Membership at the $70 USD monthly tier. Finalists receive a $250 USD Outschool Gift Card, and the Showcase Favorite winner receives a $250 USD Outschool Gift Card and a $250 USD Amazon Gift Card. Finalists are announced on April 20, and Grand Prize winners will be announced live at the Showcase event on April 25. Prizes are sent by email after the contest concludes. All prizes are stated in US dollars (USD) or the equivalent amount in local currency, depending on the jurisdiction of residence.