Artwork must feature at least one of the following songbird species: Black-and-white Warbler, Pinyon Jay, Purple Varied Bunting, or White-breasted Nuthatch

Artwork must be the student’s own, original, hand-done creation. Copying or closely replicating another’s work (including photos or artworks) is not allowed and will result in disqualification.

Not allowed: Digital art, AI-generated content, or computer-edited pieces.

Accepted mediums: 2D, hand-done artwork only (e.g., paint, colored pencil, crayon, marker, collage, pastel, chalk). Spray fixatives are recommended for chalk or pastel art to prevent smudging. A loose protective cover sheet is allowed when mailing

Artwork must be free of any writing, names, or signatures on the front. Signatures may be written on the back only.

Plagiarism Warning: Any artwork that appears to substantially replicate existing artwork or photography will be disqualified. For example, using the same medium, pose, lighting, and composition as another artist’s image is considered plagiarism, even if redrawn by hand.

Using photo references is encouraged—but your final piece must be recognizably your own.

• It is acceptable to use the same pose as a bird in a reference photo; however, you must change other elements such as the background, lighting, placement, and artistic style (e.g., coloring or shading techniques).

• Avoid creating a piece that replicates a reference image exactly. Instead, combine multiple references to form a unique composition. • For example, you might use one photo for your bird’s anatomy, another for the background, and another for color inspiration.

• Looking at artwork by other artists can be a great source of inspiration, but do not copy their work. Instead, study their style and techniques to develop your own.

Not required for students in grades K–3 or for international participants.

Limit to one page, front only, typed or handwritten.

Include the student’s name, grade, and home state on either the front or back

Writing may take many forms, such as a story, poem, comic, journal entry, interview, or magazine article.

It should reflect the student’s knowledge, connection, or understanding of the selected songbird species.

Writing may include illustrations or decorative elements, but the words must be the main focus.

All entries must be submitted via the online entry form, regardless of whether artwork is mailed in or uploaded. • Mailing instructions will be provided after online form submission. • The entry form must include:

An email and mailing address for the artist or supervising adult.

Signatures from both the artist and supervising adult.

If submitting artwork online, please scan the artwork (not photograph) for the best quality. Crop the image so that the artwork fills the frame (no borders).

If mailing in an entry, artwork must not be larger than 11”x17” and 2” thick. Art can be either horizontal or vertical.

Please limit the amount of packaging when mailing your artwork. It is recommended to use a flat cardboard box or a thick, cardboard envelope - your artwork will be safe and mailing will be cheaper. We encourage you to avoid using boxes and plastic fillers.

Do not ship artwork in a frame or matt - especially glass. It breaks.

Creative Writing is not required for any international participant.

If you choose to send your entry by mail, please know that we will not be able to return it.

Download the Student Information Sheet: Fill out all required details for each student.

• If you do not have Excel, you may upload the file to Google Sheets to edit

Artwork Submission:

If mailing in artwork: Use the Mail-In Name Sheets to clearly write each student’s name, grade, and selected songbird species. Have the student sign their section, then cut out each portion and securely attach it to the back of their corresponding artwork. Print the completed entry form and include it with all student artwork and creative writing pieces when mailing your submission.

• Upload the finished Student Information Sheet to the online entry form. Both mail-in and online submissions must fill-out an online form.

If submitting online:

• Artwork: Scan each students artwork and save each file with the student’s name, grade, and species in the file name (e.g., "JohnSmith_Grade4_Trout.jpg").

• Essays: For student’s grade 4 and above, save each essay file with the student’s name, grade, and “essay” in the file name (e.g., "JohnSmith_Grade4_Essay.jpg").

Uploading Artwork:

• For scanned artwork and essays, gather all files in a folder. Name the folder the same as the school or studio being submitted from (e.g., "RasberryStudios-StudentEntries").

• Zip the folder and upload it to the entry form, along with the completed Student Information Sheet.