Thank you for your interest OAR’s Youth Art Contest!
The 2021 Organization for Autism Research’s Youth Art Contest has ended and winners have been selected. If you would like to participate in the 2022 Youth Art Contest, fill out this form for art contest updates and announcements.
Calling all young artists! OAR’s art contest is officially open and awaiting your submissions. Building on the new Friendship Tip Sheets OAR recently introduced, the theme for this year’s inaugural contest is “Friendship”. We look forward to see what friends and friendship look like through the eyes of children and youth. This will be their opportunity to tell a story about friendship in as abstract or literal sense as they would like.
The contest is open to autistic children and their siblings, relatives, and friends. We will announce winners at the beginning of Autism Acceptance Month in April and subsequently feature them on that month’s donation E-cards. Additionally, all winners and honorable mentions could be featured in a special OAR calendar, holiday ornament, or other featured items.
ART CONTEST INFORMATION
The 2021 Youth Art Contest has closed. Keep an eye out for updates and information regarding the 2022 Youth Art Contest coming in late 2021.
SUBMISSIONS CATEGORIES
Youth with Autism:
8 years old & under
9 – 13 years old
14 years old & older
8 years old & under
9 – 13 years old
14 years old & older
2021 ART CONTEST WINNERS
Thank you to everybody who submitted and entry the the 2021 Organization for Autism Research’s Youth Art Contest! We received lots of amazing submissions that made voting extremely close. Congratulations to all the winners of our 2021 Youth Art Contest!
Love one (or all) of these winning artworks? Share it with your friends by sending a donation e-card depicting a winner’s work.
Grand Prize Winner
Me and My Very Best Friend Sterling
Sean R. – Fair Oaks, CA
Artist’s Description: This painting is based on a photo taken of me and my best friend Sterling. He is a blue Doberman and enjoys our daily walks by the river. He is gentle, kind, and loving in every way. I thought that this painting captures the theme of friendship as Sterling is loyal and always by my side. He is one of my best friends.
Autistic Youth Age 9 – 13 Winner
Friends Help Each Other
Achille M. – Bellevue, WA
Artist’s Description: The artist’s only real friends (out of sister and parents) are characters of movies. When asked to draw friends and friendship, the artist drew Leon the Lion who help his other friends to cross a difficult part of their path. He is carrying them on his shoulders and jumping using some swings until it is safe.
Siblings, Friends, and Family Age 9-13 Winner
A String of Friendship
Melody M. – Indianapolis, IN
Artist’s Description: In my opinion, friendship is a special bond between people, like a string connecting them. It’s golden, to symbolize how friendship is sturdy and will last through many years. It relates to autism because it’s important to show autistic people you’ll always be there for them, even when things get difficult. I make sure my “strings” connecting me with my autistic family and friends are extra strong to show I love them.
Siblings, Friends, and Family Age 14+ Winner
Two Ideas in One
Brooke T. – Pismo Beach, CA
Artist’s Description: While I painted this piece I had the constant input and chattering of my son who is autistic. His sister had opinions too and I did my best to meet what each of them deemed represented friendship best. Just as they are friends!
2021 ART CONTEST JUDGES
Audrey Flack
American Artist & Autism Mom
Audrey Flack is an internationally acclaimed painter, sculptor, a pioneer of photorealism, and mother to an autistic daughter. Flack’s photorealistic paintings were the first such paintings to be purchased for the Museum of Modern Art’s permanent collection. Her pioneering efforts into the world of photorealism popularized the genre to the extent that it remains today and has influenced many American and International artists.
Edward Cusick
American Artist
Edward (Ed) Cusick is a retired financial advisor from Merrill Lynch, and after living on Cape Cod for 40+ years, Ed and his wife decided to move to Maine. Ed’s hobbies include boating in the summer and creating art for his gallery, “Islands Art” on Bailey Island, ME. Ed specializes in pet portraits and pictures of houses, seascapes, landscapes, and nature art.
Megan Robinson
Art Director & Interior Design – ONEHOPE Winery
Megan Robinson is the Art Director and head of Interior and Experience Design at ONEHOPE Winery. Originally from a small town in Clarkston, Michigan Meg moved to LA in 2009 to pursue a career in entertainment before going back to school for her true passion, design. Her work focuses on integrating impact into spaces, from highlighting artists dedicated to serving a greater purpose, to causes that ONEHOPE supports, by inspiring and immersing guests into the art of giving back.
La’Mical Perine
NY Jets Running Back & Autism Brother
La’Mical Perine is an American football running back for the New York Jets. On February 24th, Perine announced his partnership with the Organization for Autism Research as a celebrity ambassador. The Organization for Autism Research is a cause close to his heart as a brother to an autistic sibling.
Submission Form
Thank you for your interest, however the 2021 Art Contest is currently closed. Please sign up below to receive updates on future contests.
