2022-2023 Art Contest

To honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and raise awareness about his accomplishments, the City of Bowie Diversity Committee is sponsoring an annual art contest for Bowie students. Students, in grades K-12, are encouraged to help celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day by using a visual medium to express Dr. King's ideas and beliefs. The integration of art and history not only helps students apply and retain their knowledge of history, but also offers an opportunity for success to all students of different learning styles.

Students will compete by grade level: 

• Elementary (K-2 and 3-5)
• Middle (6-8) and 
• High School (9-12).  

Students in grades K-2 may complete the coloring sheet provided and grades 3 - 12 have two contest categories. The contest is intended to teach students about Dr. King’s legacy. 

The theme for the 2023 contest is "From Dream to Reality". This theme encourages students to reflect upon Dr. King’s life, philosophy, and impact on the Civil Rights movement and present day America. It is meant to challenge students to think about how civil rights and diversity affect their lives and how they can continue the dream of Dr. King in their own way.

Contest Categories

Elementary (Grades K-2)

Coloring Sheet 

• Color the provided image of Dr. King 
• Provide your contact information

Elementary (Grades 3-5), Middle (Grades 6-8) and  High (Grades 9-12)

Students will compete in there grade level and may choose from two contest categories: 

• Performing Arts 
  • Dance, monologue, musical instrument, song, speech or spoken word
  • Videos must be uploaded via YouTube and the link should be emailed with your entry form
  • Videos must be no longer than two minutes
• Visual Arts 
  • Drawing, painting or photography
  • Image must be in JPEG format
  • Only one image may be submitted per student

All entries must embody the theme. The Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Art Contest Flyer may be distributed to schools and any organizations serving Bowie youth. Students may submit entries via the Grades K-2 Entry Form or Grades 3-12 Entry Form. The deadline to submit is December 28, 2022 at 5 p.m.  All entries must be submitted via email to Lori Cunningham at lcunningham@cityofbowie.org. 

Finalists will be invited to take part in a tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., on Saturday, January 14, 2023 at 10 a.m. at Bowie City Hall.

* Eligible Schools 

Students who live within the municipal limits of Bowie or who attend one of the following schools are eligible to participate in City of Bowie contests and programs: