Visual Arts Contest 2026
Donate Life Connecticut is happy to announce the launch of the 36th Annual Erica Grossman High School Visual Arts Contest. Since 1990, tens of thousands of high school students have participated in Donate Life Connecticut’s Annual Visual Arts Contest, helping to further organ donation awareness and promote the DLC mission to more Connecticut communities.
The contest is held each year to encourage high school students to learn the importance of Organ and Tissue Donation, giving the student a personal perspective on the importance of the message of Donate Life CT. This year, we are excited to add the option for students to focus on living donation in their submission.
Students in grades 9-12 enrolled in a Connecticut High School, including public, private, magnet, and parochial, are invited to participate. Instructions and guidelines are below.
Submission Options
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Poster depicting organ donation registration or living donor options
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Created with paint, pencil, charcoal, pastels, marker, etc.*
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Computer-generated design*
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Photography*
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Video
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60 seconds or less
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Submitted digitally to dlct@donatelifect.org
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* Size is limited to 17”x 25” printed or 25MB via email. Do not fold, matte, laminate, or frame.
Guidelines
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Must use the Donate Life Connecticut logo. Submissions without the Donate Life Connecticut logo WILL NOT be considered during the judging.
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Must include simple, direct slogans or phrasing with legible and easy-to-understand artwork.
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Apart from the DLC logo, no copyrighted material of any kind can be used. This will result in automatic disqualification.
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Submission must contain the phrase “Organ and Tissue Donation,” “Organ and Tissue Donor,” "Living Donor", or "Living Donation," and must be an original work created by the student.
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All submissions are due by May 1, 2026. Submissions should be made electronically to dlct@donatelifect.org or sent by mail to Donate Life CT, PO Box 304, Andover, CT 06232. The Submission Form must be included with all submissions and can be downloaded here.
Judging and Awards
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Judges will select winners from eligible submissions based on criteria, merit, and use of the theme.
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Winners will be honored at an award ceremony at the Capitol Building in May. Date TBD
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Cash prizes will be awarded for winning submissions.
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A prize will be awarded to the teacher of the 1st place winner.
Download the complete Contest Guidelines here.
Download the Submission Form here.
Congratulations to our 2025 Award Winners
First Place
Summer Austin
Holy Cross High School, Waterbury
Second Runner Up
Isabella Oliveira-Pinto
Immaculate High School, Danbury
First Runner Up
Aidan Martinez
Cochinchaug Regional High School, Durham
Youth Advocate Award
Wilma Cruz
Bullard-Haven Technical School, Bridgeport
Awards Ceremony at State Capital