Voices of the River Contest
Stories and Art Shaped by Water
Voices of the River invites K–8 students from across the French Broad River watershed to share their creativity through art and poetry inspired by our local waterways. Whether it’s a favorite river memory, a moment of change, or the role water plays in our communities, this contest celebrates the many ways young people see, feel, and connect with the river.
Theme: Rhythms of the River | How does water shape your community?
This year’s theme encourages students to think about movement, change, cycles, and connections – whether natural, cultural, or personal – and express how rivers influence the places and people around them.
For many students in our region, this theme may also connect to experiences of recovery and resilience following Hurricane Helene, which impacted our watershed just over a year ago. Reflections on flooding, change, healing, and rebuilding are welcome and encouraged.
Important Dates:
- Submission Deadline: April 3, 2026
- Gallery Exhibition: May 9, 2026
- Held at the RiverLink office and open to the public
Eligibility
- Students must live within the French Broad River watershed (Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, Mitchell, Transylvania ,and Yancey counties)
- Open to K–8 grade students
- Submissions will be judged in 3 age groups: K-2nd, 3rd-5th, and 6th-8th.
- Submissions are welcome from:
- Individual students
- Entire classrooms (submitted by teachers)
- Afterschool programs, community centers, and art-focused nonprofits
Submission Categories
Students may submit work in one of the following categories:
Visual Art (2D or 3D)
- Accepted formats may include drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, mixed media, printmaking, or other visual media. No photography.
- Artwork must be original and created by the student
Poetry
- Original poems written by the student
- Any poetic style is welcome
Submission Guidelines
- Each student may submit one total entry (either visual art or poetry)
- Submissions must clearly reflect the 2026 theme, Rhythms of the River
- Inappropriate, plagiarized, or AI-generated content will not be accepted and all work must be the student’s original creation
Visual Art Guidelines
- Maximum size: 11 x 17 inches (not including mounting)
- 2D artwork should be securely mounted on construction paper or cardstock if submitted physically
- 3D artwork should be sturdy and able to be safely transported and displayed
- Do not use glitter, sand, loose natural materials, or other elements that may fall off during handling or digitization
- Artwork should be labeled with the student’s name, grade, and school, group, or parent info.
Poetry Guidelines
- Poems should be typed or neatly handwritten
- Maximum length: one page
- Poems should be labeled with the student’s name, grade, and school, group, or parent info.
How to submit
We will accept both physical and digital submissions for Voices of the River. More details on submission forms, platforms, and processes for both physical and digital entries will be added soon.
Judging & Prizes
Submissions are reviewed by RiverLink staff and local artists and writers. Submitted artwork and poems will be showcased in a public gallery exhibition, and winning students can pick up prizes generously donated by local businesses.
Stay tuned for the announcement of this year’s prize donors and judges.
Want to Help Support This Contest?
Each year this contest is made possible by some wonderful local businesses, artists, and writers. If you’re interested in sponsoring, donating prizes, or judging submissions for 2026 you can contact us at education@riverlink.org