The 22nd Annual High School Visual Arts Competition 2025 is Here!
The High School Visual Arts Competition (VAC) celebrates student artwork in four categories: 2D, 3D, Photography, and Digital Art. Submissions are open to high school students who live in or attend school in Orinda, Lafayette, Moraga, or any of the schools in the Acalanes Union High School District. The competition features cash awards, merit certificates, an in-person art exhibit in the Art Gallery at the Orinda Library, and an online public exhibit of entries on the Lamorinda Arts Council website.
2024 Best in Show Winner:
'Ego' by Emily Bennett (Seen Right)
View the 2024 Gallery of Entries here.
See a full list of past award winners here.
REGISTRATION 2025 IS NOW OPEN! See below...
Important Dates for 2025
- Sunday, 1/5, 9:00 am PST | Click here to Register.
- Friday, 2/21, 11:59 pm PST | Registration Deadline (online)
- Friday, 2/28, 4 - 6pm | Artwork Dropoff Window at Orinda Library
- Saturday, 3/1, 10am - 12pm | Artwork Drop Off Window at Orinda Library
- Monday, 3/3 — Friday, 4/4 | Exhibit in the Gallery at the Orinda Library
- Thursday, 3/20, 7 - 8:30pm | Artist Reception & Award Presentation
- Saturday, 4/5, 11am - 2pm | Artwork Pickup at Orinda Library
- Sunday, 4/6, 10am - 12pm | Artwork Pickup at Orinda Library
Click here for all key dates and details.
Categories
The Lamorinda Arts Council High School Visual Arts Competition accepts entries for:
- 2D: painting, drawing, printmaking, mixed media, collage
- 3D: ceramics, sculpture, jewelry, construction
- Photography: traditional film and digital photography
- Digital Art (sponsored by Lamorinda Arts Alliance): two-dimensional artwork produced or manipulated on a computer platform and then printed on paper, canvas, or other material. The artwork may be an original digital painting, a digital graphic or illustration, or a photo image that has been manipulated beyond enhancement or applying effect to a photograph. Any use of AI software may not be used and will be disqualified.
Eligibility & Rules
All high school students living in or attending high school in Moraga, Orinda, Lafayette, and/or Acalanes Union High School District, including Las Lomas High School, are invited to participate. Students may submit only one art piece per category but may enter more than one category.
Judges/Judging Criteria
Professionals with experience in (practicing, teaching, or representing) the categories judge the competition. The criteria used for judging is:
- Creativity and originality
- Content
- Degree of expertise in the chosen medium
Awards
Cash prizes for Best in Show and 1st – 3rd place in each category.
Best in Show – $300
Per Category:
1st Place – $300
2nd Place – $200
3rd Place – $100
Honorable Mention – $50
