Congrats to our 2026 Student Art Contest FINALISTS!

This year’s theme, “Belonging,” invited Wisconsin public school students to explore what connection, inclusion, and community mean to them through art. We were inspired by the creativity, talent, and thoughtful interpretations shared by students across the state.

Up to ten finalists will receive a $500 award, and one student will be selected for the $1,500 “Best in Class” Award presented in memory of Loeymae Lange, a longtime Wisconsin public school art teacher whose passion for student creativity continues to inspire this program.

The “Best in Class” recipient will be announced later this summer. Be sure to follow WEA Member Benefits social media accounts to catch finalist artist spotlights throughout the summer.

And now, without further ado, here are the 2026 Student Art Contest finalists!

Braelyn Rein, Watertown, 4th grade When I make art I feel calmer and there are no mistakes. So, I am free to create whatever I can imagine. When I am working at the art studio, creating glass pieces, I feel comfortable surrounded by other artists. The feedback and support as I am creating my pieces gives me a sense of joy and belonging. These experiences build my confidence as an artist but I can also take that increased confidence with me and two other situations and interactions.

Frankie Parkhurst, Waukesha, 5th grade I think that my art piece fits the theme of “belonging” because it shows people and objects of all different kinds, holding hands around the earth, which shows that we all belong, no matter what hobby or animal we enjoy. I created this art piece first by painting the earth with water color paint.Then I went in and drew the people with pencil and colored them with colored pencils. This art piece means a lot to me because, I had a hard time fitting in to school sometimes and I just wanted to belong and fit in.

Reggie Kohlhagen, Appleton, 5th grade The drawing that I made fits the theme because to me belonging means to love others and care for them. I also think my drawing fits the theme because everybody is holding hands and they are all coming together. The reason I chose to make everybody different colors is because everyone is different and even though they are, they are all still coming together and caring for each other.

Ashlynn Wik, Mount Horeb, 6th grade My art is about family and belonging. I think about how a baby giraffe gets its spots from its mother. When it’s born, the spots aren’t really there yet, but they grow in and end up looking a lot like the mother’s pattern. It’s like the baby carries a piece of her wherever it goes. I feel like people are the same way. We get little parts of who we are from the people who love us — the way we talk, the things we care about, and the stories we remember. These things become our “spots,” the marks that show where we come from. In my artwork, I try to show how family shapes us. Even when we grow up and become our own person, we still carry those patterns with us. They remind us that we belong to something bigger than just ourselves.

Salonica Gupta, Middleton-Cross Plains, 7th grade I believe that this fits the theme. How? Well, I think belonging is hard to achieve. It's hard to grasp. When a person hears "belonging" we immediately think of fitting in. Yet, to fit in, you need to change yourself. To belong, you are you. I think this piece portrays the hardships of that—the hardships of being alone.

Steven Xu, Middleton-Cross Plains, 8th grade Where are you from? I am always being asked, Born in Rhode Island, growing up in Wisconsin, Parents from China, now I am an American, Have been to Rome, Barcelona, and London. Where do I belong? I always ask myself. Kington, where I was born, or Madison which is now my home? Perhaps, there will be another place with my cello that I will perform. Where are we from? We could be from Loeymae Lange’s Cooper Elementary School in Burlington. Or from my Kromrey Middle School at Middleton. We can also be from any place from New Orleans to Puget Sound. Where do we belong? We belong to the oceans, and to the sea, To the wind, to the lighthouse in my dream, and to all the great things to be, Maybe one day, to the universe and the galaxy. - Steven Xu (inspired after watching movie Project Hail Mary)

Victoria Gomez, Nicolet, 9th grade This piece explores the idea of belonging through the eyes of someone who wants to, but cannot no matter how hard they try. A U.S. map in the background suggests her struggles to fit in because despite her trying to “get in” the U.S by sitting on it, she can’t fit. This makes her feel trapped since despite not fitting in, she can’t leave either, hence her expression. News and statistics slowly blending into her hands and clothes represent thoughts caused by this country that slowly consumes her. The quotes talk about how the situation in her home country (Venezuela) worsens, making returning feels less possible, deepening her sense of being trapped. The quotes covering her eyes symbolize being “blinded” by the sadness of leaving, as if it’s all she can see. Ultimate, the piece reflects how displacement and the idea of belonging can shape one's identity and continues to affect someone even if they try to move forward.

Amanda Fahy, Verona, 10th grade This ink drawing shows a collection of detailed storefronts of all different types. With this drawing I wanted to encapsulate the idea that belonging doesn't have to always come from the people around you, but that it can be experienced in an extremely meaningful way through the places you spend time in. That is why in this drawing I chose to show restaurants and stores from all over the world, and from all different walks of life, so that each person could look closely and feel like they resonate with and would belong in one or more of the store fronts, regardless of who they are. Places of community and connection like those shown in the artwork allow for everyone to feel like they belong and are at home, whether it be because of the language written above the door, the paper lanterns strung outside, the familiar architecture, or the stacks of books in the window. This piece asks the viewer to look closer, and feel at home somewhere in the ink.

Beth Bade, Lake Mills, 11th grade I feel like I'm trapped in a bubble a lot of the time; I stick with the same people, I do the same things, and I don't venture out into the world. This bubble feels suffocating, especially when you get a taste of what the world has to offer. Freshman year I met Violet. She was a year older than me, extroverted, and made everyone feel a part of a team. This was the first moment I wanted to pop my bubble and investigate. Violet gave me my most sacred quality: the desire to include everyone. The two Betta fish represent our symbolic relationship. I primarily used white colored pencil to inscribe the numerous intricate details on the fish. I later used bright hues of magenta, cyan, orange and lime to draw the fragile bubble. This piece rekindled my desire to be creative, and the importance of finding genuine meaning behind my pieces. Violet taught me that it's okay to pop my bubble, and how important it is to encourage others to do the same. Popped bubbles make everyone feel like they can belong and be themselves.

Emily Jahns, Wausau, 11th grade We define belonging as a deep sense of being seen, accepted, and valued, the comfort of knowing you're not alone. Where your heart feels at home, just as you are. Many people search for this feeling their whole lives, and never find it. Sometimes people find belonging and lose it. People that are often seen to be struggling with their belonging are those of medical disabilities, physical disabilities, or mental ones like PTSD. They often struggle to live in society and live freely on their own. Fortunately enough we have some furry friends that help them out. Service dogs serve every day of their lives by performing specific tasks to mitigate disabilities for individuals, so they deserve to be recognized. Service dogs will forever play a vital role in the health and belonging of humans' lives, living up to the nickname, "man's best friend." This piece was done on a clay board. India inks were used for the color, and you can scratch into it with a scratching tool to get the texture of fur. The name of this piece is "Patches" due to the patches in the background of the picture. The ones shown are just a few of the very many patches service dogs wear. On another note, thank you for giving people the opportunity to create something that portrays belonging. It's a hard feeling to put into words.

Ryan Felhofer, Sturgeon Bay, 12th grade To me, belonging isn’t always found in crowds or conventional social circles. Sometimes it appears in unexpected, instinctual connections that offer protection and peace. In my piece I explore the mesh of souls colliding creating beautiful colors. Symbolizing how true belonging dissolves isolation and allows us to be fully ourselves without fear. My use of colorful dots and physical nearness visually communicates the balance of two souls and the feeling of belonging. Lastly the soft edges suggest merging, safety and emotional warmth rather than sharp separation or alienation.

Thank you to every student who participated and shared their artwork with us. Your creativity and imagination made this year’s contest a success.