Fine Arts Competition 2026
Choose your favorite medium
In this competition, you can choose any of these for your submission:
Painting (oil, acrylic, watercolor)
Drawing (pencil, ink, charcoal)
Sculpture (clay, wood, metal, stone)
Mixed Media (collage, assemblage)
Printmaking (linocut, etching)
Textile Art (fabric-based works)
Theme
“Dear Future Me” – Illustrate your future self or life goals.
Objective
We aim to create opportunities that allow you to showcase your talents, hone your skills, and plan for your future.
Prizes
Win a scholarship to one of our Participating Universities:
1st place: $1,000 scholarship
2nd place: $500 scholarship
3rd place: $250 scholarship
Other benefits
All participants are entered into a raffle to win one free registration to our Leadership Conference in Greece this year!
Add it to your CV when applying to university and internships to show initiative and display your talents.
Submissions
We find your creating process as important as the result; therefore, this competition requires two process update submissions throughout the process, as well as one after completion.
February 1: Registrations Launch
February 28: Final Deadline for all submissions
End March: Final Judging Decisions Announced
Timeline
Step 1: Register from February 1
Step 2: Submit a process update video and photos of you with your art, explaining your process (suggested submission: Feb 15, latest Feb 28)
Update 3: Submit a process update video and photos of you with your art, explaining your process (suggested submission: Feb 22, latest Feb 28)
Feb 28: Submit final photos and videos of your completed piece, and make sure all updates are also submitted by this date to ensure eligibility.
Judging Criteria
Reflection & Growth 40%
Able to reflect on the process and show the process of growth/learning.
Technical Skill 20%
Demonstrates proficiency in chosen medium.
Originality 30%
Original and imaginative approach to the theme, with clear explanation. Work is authentic (and not copied or AI-generated).
Theme Relevance 10%
Clearly connects to the competition theme.
Meet the Judges
Jeanette Harshaw
Full-Time English Teacher"To practice any art, no matter how well or how badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven's sake. So do it." - Kurt Vonnegut.
Rukayat Olunlade
Student Advising Manager“Giving the arts a try isn’t about being perfect — it’s about discovering your voice, building courage, and allowing yourself to grow in ways you never expected.”
Ariel Price-Johnson
Art Teacher“Take part, and the greatest thing you will discover is yourself!”
Mariia
HGS Alumna, student at Florida International University, Miami“You only live once. Who knows what opportunities you will have after participating? Give it a try and find out!”
Angela Hughes
Senior Program Manager, Head of School, PCDGC“This competition is meant to be fun. Take a moment to enjoy the process and use it as a modality to express yourself. I can't wait to see what you create!”
Louise Jackson
Electives Instructor“I hope you will take this opportunity to express yourself through art and step outside the box. You can also earn a scholarship while applying your skills of creativity.”
Sevde
HGS Alumna, Pre-Med student at Cleveland State University in Ohio“Participating in the arts gives students the courage to express themselves and explore their potential beyond academics. Trying something new can open doors you didn’t even know existed sometimes, all it takes is giving it a go.”
Allison Sobey
Adam Morton
TeacherStudent Advising Manager
