Student Art Exhibition
Open to Grades Pre-K through 12
2025 NEWPORT BEACH STUDENT ART EXHIBITION
The Cultural Arts Commission is pleased to present a new and exciting program for young artists! The Student Art Exhibition is an opportunity for students grades pre-K through 12 to showcase their creativity. Artists may submit one original work of art, two-dimensional format only, that will be displayed at the Newport Beach Central Library (1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach 92660). Jurors will select winning entries and awards will be distributed in the form of gift card prizes.
Please contact the Newport Beach Cultural Arts Office at 949-717-3802 or arts@newportbeachca.gov for further information.
Young artists submitted one original work of art in the following mediums: painting (acrylic, oil, watercolor), drawing (ink, pencil, charcoal, pastel, markers, crayons), or collage.
Entries must be submitted in-person at the Central Library only. Please read the Entry Guidelines for further information.
Prizes are divided into three categories with nine winners overall:
- Pre-K - 3rd grade
- 4th - 7th grade
- 8th - 12th grade
An award ceremony will be held in honor of the prize winners in early February 2026.
ART DELIVERY AND RETRIEVAL INSTRUCTIONS:
Submission of Artwork
Artwork submissions will open October 6 - November 30, 2025. Printable application form available for download: 2025 Student Art Exhibition Application. ARTWORK MUST BE SUBMITTED IN PERSON AT THE CENTRAL LIBRARY ONLY.
Art Exhibit
Exhibit dates will be from January 6 through February 23, 2026. Exhibit will be at the Newport Beach Central Library (1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach, CA 92660).
Artwork Retrieval
Artwork retrieval date(s) will be from March 2 - 15, 2026.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
Please fill out the Entry Form and bring the completed form, along with your artwork, to the Children’s Room located on the 1st floor.
ENTRY GUIDELINES
Accepted mediums for entries: Accepted canvas for entries:
Paintings Paper Drawings Canvas
Collages
- Submissions are limited to one (1) work of art per artist. Entry forms are required for participation.
- Entries will be accepted in person only at the Central Library located at 1000 Avocado Ave. Please do not bring artwork to other Newport Beach library branches.
- Artwork size limit: 9” x 12” and must be unframed.
- Each entry must be an original work of art and not violate U.S. copyright laws. Unaccepted artwork includes copies from existing photos or images created by someone other than the applicant.
- The City Arts Commission retains the right to reject entries that are deemed inappropriate for public display.
- For the purpose of exhibiting at the Library, all accepted artworks will be adhered onto foam core for mount and display. Please be aware that artworks will be returned in this manner, that removal of artwork from the foam core may cause damage to it and the entrant accepts that the City shall not be held responsible for any damage of the artwork caused as a result of such attempts.
Questions? Call (949) 717-3802 or send an email to arts@newportbeachca.gov.
PRIZE DETAILS:
Prizes are divided into three categories with nine winners overall: grades Pre-K - 3rd, grades 4th - 7th, and grades 8th – 12th. Winners will be contacted to receive their award and attend an award ceremony in early February 2026. Prizes will be distributed as gift cards in the increments listed below.
All participants will receive a certificate of participation upon picking up their artwork at the end of the exhibition. Please note that a certificate of participation does not indicate a prize award.
PRIZE CATEGORIES:
Pre-K - 3rd Grade*
- 1st Prize - $100.00 – The Courage of Creativity, The Henri Matisse Award
- 2nd Prize - $50.00 – A Creation from The Heart, The Marc Chagall Award
- 3rd Prize - $25.00 – Every Child is an Artist, The Picasso Award
*One artist will be selected as an Honorable Mention. There is no gift card prize but the artist will receive a certificate for their accomplishment.
4th Grade - 7th Grade*
- 1st Prize - $100.00 – An Inner Picture of the Soul, The Edvard Munch Award
- 2nd Prize - $50.00 – Shapes and Colors as Language, The Georgia O’Keefe Award
- 3rd Prize - $25.00 – By All Means, Paint! The Vincent Van Gogh Award
*One artist will be selected as an Honorable Mention. There is no gift card prize but the artist will receive a certificate for their accomplishment.
8th Grade - 12th Grade*
- 1st Prize - $100.00 – An Artist Who Inspires Others, The Salvador Dali Award
- 2nd Prize - $50.00 – Art with a Life of Its Own, The Jackson Pollock Award
- 3rd Prize - $25.00 – Happy as Long as I Can Paint, The Frida Kahlo Award
*One artist will be selected as an Honorable Mention. There is no gift card prize but the artist will receive a certificate for their accomplishment.
2025 STUDENT ART EXHIBITION WINNERS
PRE-K THROUGH 3RD, 1ST PLACE WINNER
Ava, Hummingbird's Kiss
PRE-K THROUGH 3RD, 2ND PLACE WINNER
Allie, Owl
PRE-K THROUGH 3RD, 3RD PLACE WINNER
Lydia, Ballerina Cherry Blossom
PRE-K THROUGH 3RD, HONORABLE MENTION
Aiden, She Drew the Curves No One Else Could See: Tribute to Maryam Mirzakhani
4TH THROUGH 7TH GRADE, 1ST PLACE WINNER
Allen, Hands of Manipulation
4TH THROUGH 7TH GRADE, 2ND PLACE WINNER
Shanaya, Just Another Girl
4TH THROUGH 7TH GRADE, 3RD PLACE WINNER
Kyla, Harmony in Patterns
4TH THROUGH 7TH GRADE, HONORABLE MENTION
Luna, Sun Falling Asleep in CA
8TH THROUGH 12TH GRADE, 1ST PLACE WINNER
Amelia, Smores
8TH THROUGH 12TH GRADE, 2ND PLACE WINNER
Zisui, A Cup of Sunrise
8TH THROUGH 12TH GRADE, 3RD PLACE WINNER
Angel, Fruit Still Life
8TH THROUGH 12TH GRADE, HONORABLE MENTION
Quinn, Lake Como Visit