TOWNSEND — The VFW Auxiliary to Townsend Post No. 6538 is inviting students in grades 3 through 5 and grades 6 through 8 to participate in its annual Illustrating America Art Contest, sponsored in conjunction with the VFW Auxiliary Department of Massachusetts and the National VFW Auxiliary.
The contest encourages students to express their patriotism through original artwork. There is no specific theme.
The local Auxiliary will award $30 for first place, $20 for second place and $10 for third place in each grade-level division. First-place winners will advance to the state competition, where prizes include $100 for first place and $50 for second place in each division. State winners will advance to the national competition, where first-, second- and third-place winners will receive $100, $50 and $25 gift cards, respectively.
The contest is open to students in the designated grades who attend public, private or parochial schools or participate in a homeschool program. Citizenship and residency eligibility requirements apply; foreign exchange students are not eligible.
Artwork must be original, two-dimensional and created by the student on canvas or paper. Crayons, paint, markers, pastels, pencils, watercolors, mixed media and other traditional art materials are permitted. Entries must measure between 8 by 10 inches and 18 by 24 inches, including any mat. Coloring sheets, digital art, artificial intelligence-generated artwork, photography, and copied or traced works will not be accepted.
Entries must be completed during the 2026–2027 school year. Each submission must include an official contest entry form with the artist’s information and the parent or guardian’s contact information and signature. The form must be attached to the back of the artwork, along with the student’s name, age and grade.
Contest forms and additional information are available from teachers or Betty Mae Tenney of the VFW Auxiliary to Townsend Post No. 6538.
The deadline for local entries is Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2026. Entries may be mailed to Betty Mae Tenney, P.O. Box 328, Townsend, MA 01469. Other submission arrangements may be made by calling 978-597-6495 or 978-665-4026.
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