Create art that keeps moving forward
Thumbs Up for Mental Health is inviting young artists to share their interpretation of mental health through original artwork. Selected winners will be featured at Party With a Purpose on February 27, 2026, where first place pieces in each age category will be presented for bidding.
Submission window: Thursday, January 15 through Sunday, February 15, 2026
Contest Information
Who can enter
Age categories
• Ages 10 to 13
• Ages 14 to 18
Grades 5 through 12
Where to submit:
Physical drop off or mail to
Thumbs Up for Mental Health
305 Jackson Ave NW, Suite B
Elk River, MN 55330
What to create
All entries must
• Show the artist’s interpretation of mental health
• Include an artist statement that explains the piece
• Raise awareness of mental health struggles, stigma, or solutions
• Be original and created in 2026
• Be no larger than 24 inches wide and 36 inches tall
• Be any physical medium or discipline
Not eligible
• Digital artwork
• AI generated artwork or AI assisted creation
• Any third party artwork, logos, characters, or trademarked material
• Materials that are not your own original creation
Submission instructions
All entries must be physically submitted or mailed to the Thumbs Up office in Elk River.
Include with your artwork
• Artist name
• Age and grade
• School name
• Parent or guardian name
• Email and phone number
• Title of artwork
• Artist statement
• Any notes on materials or display needs
Where to send or drop off
Thumbs Up for Mental Health
305 Jackson Ave NW, Suite B
Elk River, MN 55330
Contest rules
To keep the contest fair and protect artists
• Do not use third party artwork, logos, characters, or trademarked material
• Do not use materials that are not your own original creation
• Do not use AI in any way for the artwork
• Entries must meet size requirements and be physically deliverable
Judging criteria
Artwork will be evaluated based on
• Interpretation of mental health
• Creativity and originality
• Quality of artwork and artistic skill demonstrated
Prizes
There will be three winners in each age category.
First place
• Featured for bidding at Party With a Purpose on February 27, 2026
• $250 Art supplies sponsorship for the student’s school
• 6 Waterpark passes for Wyndham Gardens Otsego
Second place
• Art Class Coupon for Maple Grove Arts Center
• 5 Waterpark passes for Wyndham Gardens Otsego
Third place
• Art supply kit
• 4 Waterpark passes for Wyndham Gardens Otsego
Timeline
• January 9, 2026: Contest announced
• January 15, 2026: Submissions open
• February 15, 2026: Submission deadline
• February 16, 2026: Voting opens
• February 18, 2026: Gallery opening at Thumbs Up
• February 20, 2026: Voting closes
• February 23, 2026: Winners contacted
• February 27, 2026: Party With a Purpose art showing
🎨 FREE YOUTH ART CONTEST ASSISTANCE! 🎉
Get your pencils and paints ready! Artist Ashley Messer will be visiting our After School Programs to help students with their art projects for the Youth Art Contest!
Whether you want help with brainstorming an idea, perfecting your art techniques, or trying different mediums, Ashley’s got you covered! She will be offering students elite guidance as they work to bring their art pieces to life. 😏
Collaborate with Ashley at Thumbs Up After School Program!
Find her at the Rogers After School Program on 1/27, 2/3, and 2/10. Or visit Ashley at Elk River on 2/5!
Ashley Messer is a passionate artist, educator, and entrepreneur dedicated to making the visual arts accessible and meaningful for learners of all ages. Her creative practice centers on painting with watercolor and acrylics, while also embracing mixed media and sculptural approaches. Her work reflects a deep appreciation for traditional art processes paired with contemporary educational values.
Ashley is the owner of Creative Studio 23, a mobile art studio designed to bring high-quality art instruction directly into communities. Through this venture, she teaches students of all ages using traditional visual art mediums such as drawing, watercolor, acrylic painting, mixed media, and sculpture. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes creativity, skill-building, and confidence, empowering students to explore their artistic voices in supportive and engaging environments.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from the University of Minnesota Duluth in 2014 and recently completed her Master’s degree in Art Education at Augsburg University. With this advanced training, Ashley is committed to serving students in public school settings and broader arts communities, advocating for equitable access to arts education. Her goal is to inspire, educate, and nurture the next generation of artists while strengthening the role of the arts within schools and communities.
Contest Sponsors
