Oakland County fourth and fifth graders can submit artwork for the 22nd annual Kids' Clean Water Calendar Contest through Friday, Oct. 9.
Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash is collecting entries through his office and Pure Oakland Water. The contest asks students to illustrate the theme: "We Can All Help to Keep Oakland County's Lakes, Rivers, Streams and Watersheds Clean!"
The 2027 calendar will feature artwork from 24 students. More than 5,000 copies will be distributed across the county, according to the contest flyer. The 12 monthly winners each receive drawing supplies, swag featuring their artwork and prizes valued at more than $200.
Nash encouraged students in the flyer to submit their work, saying he and Pure Oakland Water are eager to see entries and the impact they can have.
The contest is open to students at any public, private, charter or homeschool in Oakland County. Artwork must be drawn on plain white letter-sized paper in landscape format, using crayons, markers, ink, watercolors or paint. Students must work individually. Each may submit one entry.
Drawings should not be mounted, framed, folded or rolled. A panel of water resource professionals will judge entries on message effectiveness, creativity, educational value and uniqueness. Judging runs Oct. 29–30, with winners announced by Nov. 13.
Those 12 monthly winners will be honored at an award ceremony and luncheon in December at the Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills. Winning artwork will also appear in a virtual exhibition on OakGov.com.
Entries must be mailed or hand-delivered by Friday, Oct. 9, to: Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner's Office, Attn: Calendar Contest, One Public Works Drive, Bldg. 95W, Waterford, MI 48328. Families and teachers with questions can contact Jacy Garrison at 248-858-5264 or [email protected].
What's ahead
- Oct. 9 — Contest entries close
- Oct. 29–30 — Panel judging
- By Nov. 13 — Winners announced
- December — Award ceremony at Cranbrook Institute of Science; printed calendars available by mid-month
