The WSU Foundation is Holding a Student Art Contest, and Winners Get 500 Dollars Each

A Student Art Contest is being hosted by the WSU Foundation Gift Planning Office, inviting students to send in original, two-dimensional art work representing the “WSU student experience.” 

Submissions will be accepted until December 1, and five winners will be rewarded 500 dollars each. Their artwork will also be displayed on greeting cards and other marketing materials sent out to alumni and friends who have supported WSU through programs like student scholarships.

All currently enrolled WSU students can participate, regardless of the campus they attend, and are encouraged to join as a chance to expand their portfolio.

Barbara Lyon, Program Manager in Advancement Operations and a coordinator of the contest, said that they are looking for artwork that “captures the spirit of WSU”, with some examples including “a beautiful landscape of one of our campuses, the crimson and gray flags flying on Game Day, Butch Cougar in action, or something completely original inspired by what WSU means to you.”

The requirements stipulate that students submit no more than one piece per person, and that the piece is accompanied by a brief description of what inspired it.

Students are allowed to submit any hand-drawn, painted, illustrated, or digital works. However, all works must be original and human-created, meaning any works “created, generated, or substantially assisted by AI tools or image-generation software” are ineligible and will not be accepted. 

In regard to AI-generated images, Lyons clarified that AI was in its infancy stage during the early years of the contest, and as such they were able to amend the contest rules and requirements early on.

“We just want the WSU students to think outside the box. What does WSU mean to them? What is the interpretation of a WSU-themed piece of artwork?”

When asked about what marketing materials they plan to use the artwork for, Lyon said, “It’s for all marketing materials. It’s not just for greeting cards. Many of these donors or individuals give through their estates or established planned gifts that support programs such as student scholarships. So the artwork helps us express our appreciation and strengthen that connection to WSU.”

She also shared that she is hopeful about this contest becoming an annual event, and that the WSU Foundation website showcases former contest winners for those who’d like an example of what works have won before.