Student artists across the Washoe County School District (WCSD) have until 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24, to submit original artwork for the district's 16th Annual Holiday Card Design Competition.

The contest is open to every WCSD student, kindergarten through 12th grade. That includes students at Sparks-area schools such as Sparks High, Spanish Springs High, Reed High, Sky Ranch Middle, Sparks Middle and dozens of local elementary schools.

One winner from each of four grade bands will have their artwork printed on the district's official holiday cards and shared digitally across the community, according to a WCSD news release.

The four grade-level categories are kindergarten through second grade, grades 3–5, grades 6–8 and grades 9–12. A panel of judges will select three finalists from each category.

What students can submit

Accepted formats include paintings, drawings, digital artwork and photographs. All work must feature a non-religious winter holiday theme and be entirely original. The district will not accept entries created using artificial intelligence or copyrighted characters and images.

Students may submit up to three entries in color or black and white.

How to enter

Digital submissions can be emailed to Melissa Gillis in the WCSD Office of Communications at [email protected], according to the district's contest page. Physical artwork may be mailed, sent through school mail or dropped off at the WCSD Administration Building at 425 E. 9th St. in Reno.

The contest page notes that the main reception desk is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For school mail, families should allow five working days for processing and delivery. Submissions must include the student's name, age or grade, school and a phone number or email address.

Prizes and recognition

The four category winners will be recognized at the Tuesday, Dec. 8, Board of Trustees meeting. They will receive prizes, certificates and framed presentations of their artwork, the district said.

All finalists and winners will be featured on the district's website and social media channels. Every entry will go on display at the WCSD Administration Building in Reno.

The contest has run annually for 16 years.

Families with questions can reach Gillis at [email protected]. The deadline, again: 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24.