Cultural Heritage of Fairfax County Residents

FCPL invites you to enter your best artwork in our 2021 Black History Month teen art contest

Who Can Enter?

FCPL invites teens (13–18) who are Fairfax County residents to enter their best artwork in our 2021 Black History Month teen art contest.

Official Entry Form

An official contest entry form along with original artwork must be received no later than 11:59 p.m. on Friday, February 26, 2021.

 Official Entry Form (Step 1)

What to Submit

Your artwork should depict important people, significant places, or meaningful moments in Black history and should be accompanied by “word art” — a word/words, a phrase/phrases — that are incorporated into the artwork to provide a connection from the work of art to the intended theme of the artwork. Be creative, have fun, and make an impact with your art!

 Submit your artwork here! (Step 2)

Winners Will Be Announced

A first, second, and third-place winner will be announced. Gift certificates of $40, $30, & $20 will be awarded to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners respectively. All artwork will be available for viewing on our virtual gallery during the open submission period of the contest, Monday, February 8th–Friday, February 26th.

Winners will be judged by Fairfax County Public Library staff and volunteers. 

 View the entries here!

Judging Criteria

• The art will be judged with the following criteria in mind:
  1) the artwork’s reflection of Black History Month subject artist has chosen;
  2) the creativity & originality of the artwork;
  3) the application of the “word art” theme (including content and placement) to the artwork;
  4) overall design and impression of the art.  
• Artwork can be drawings or paintings and may be 2D or 3D. 
• One entry per person.

• Artwork must be original, done solely by entrant with no help.
• The contest begins on Monday, February 8, 2021.
• Original artwork along with official contest entry form must be received no later than 11:59pm on Friday, February 26, 2021.
• Digital submissions should be submitted to Fairfax County Public Library’s virtual gallery.
• Artwork must include fully completed official artist entry form; no entry fee required.
• All art should depict important people, significant places, or meaningful moments in Black history and should be accompanied by “word art” — a single word or words, a phrase or phrases — incorporated into the artwork to provide a connection to the work of art and the intended theme of the artwork.  
• The art will be judged with the following criteria in mind:
  1. the artwork’s reflection of Black History Month subject artist has chosen;
  2. the creativity & originality of the artwork;
  3. the application of the “word art” theme (including content and placement) to the artwork;
  4. overall design and impression of the art.
• Artwork can be drawings or paintings and may be 2D or 3D.
• One entry per person; multiple entries will not be accepted.
• All submissions will appear in a virtual gallery hosted by FCPL’s Biblioboard for public viewing.