At the River's Edge Art Contest

Visit the river for inspiration!

NPS Photo/ J. Grier

Explore a creative connection in celebration of the park's 60th birthday!

At the River's Edge Art Contest will encourage participants to find and create connections between water and the world around us.

How does the Delaware River connect communities or habitats? Who and what relies on the Delaware River? How does the water connect humans to nature?

Explore the different ways that the Delaware River fosters connections between communities, ecosystems, species, or natural and cultural history. Express your discovery through a medium of your choice (must be able to be hung up) and submit it to the At the River's Edge Art Contest help us celebrate the park's 60th birthday!

Draw, paint, stitch, or create your connection to the Delaware River to enter the contest!

 

Try to see things from a different perspective while getting inspired to create your artwork.

NPS Photo/ J. Grier

About the Contest:

Who can enter?

The contest is open to school-aged kids in grades 3 through 12 who live in Monroe, Northampton, Pike, Sussex, or Warren counties.

What is the theme of the contest?

At the River's Edge: People have been connected to the Delaware River Valley for thousands of years. Communities are connected by the river from Hancock, NY all the way down to the Delaware Bay, DE. Animals rely on the food and shelter the river provides in every season. Plants thrive on the nutrient dense soil in the floodplain of the riparian area. The Delaware River provides millions of people fresh drinking water.

Your art should highlight connections made possible by the Delaware River.

What type of artwork can be submitted?

Entries must be able to be hung on a wall, so we will accept photographs, paintings, drawings, collages, quilts, etc. Artwork cannot be larger than 36"x 24". Please do not write your name on the front of the artwork. Original Artwork Only. One submission per person.

When are submissions being accepted?

Artwork submission begins September 16th and ends Friday November 15th.

How will the artwork be judged?

The artwork will be judged by a panel and will be scored based on creativity, quality, effort, how well the artwork fits the theme, and the overall impact of the artwork. One first place winner and one runner up will be selected from each age group. The groups are as follows:

• 3rd & 4th graders

• 5th & 6th graders

• 7th & 8th graders

• 9th & 10th graders

• 11th & 12th graders

How will winners be announced?

Winners will be invited to participate in an award ceremony in January. Winners are not required to attend the award ceremony in order to receive their prize. Contest winners will be announced in mid-December.

Where will the artwork be displayed?

Artowkr will be displayed in different sites around the park, such as visitor centers, Pocono Environmental Education Center, and Peters Valley School of Craft. The artwork will be displayed for the duration of 2025.

How do I retrieve my artwork?

If participants would like their artwork returned after the contest, they will need to contact the park by January 31st, 2025 to arrange pickup.

 

All art submissions must have a completed official entry form.

Submission Information:

How should I submit my artwork?

To be considered, the artwork must be mailed in and include a completed entry form signed by a parent or guardian (if applicant is under 18 years old).

Artwork may be mailed in to:

Delaware Water Gap NRA
ATTN: Anna Grismer
PO Box 2
1978 River Road
Bushkill, PA 18324

To drop off artwork for submission, please visit:

Peters Valley School of Craft Gallery
Open daily from 10 am to 6 pm.

Pocono Environmental Education Center
Open daily from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.

 

Art Contest Submission Form