Rutland Township's Student Art Contest to Commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America
To brighten the township hall and in conjunction with Illinois' Commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America, Rutland Township is launching an art challenge for local high school students across the nearby area as part of celebrating this national milestone.
Specifically, local students in high school (grades 9-12) are encouraged to create and submit original artwork inspired by the theme: "Harmonious Landscapes."
Students may explore this theme with ideas relating to local landscapes, the sun, the moon, the plains of nearby areas, and/or local wildlife. All areas depicted must be within Rutland Township, Kane County, which includes the greater portions of the Village of Gilberts, the Village of Pingree Grove, and the Village of Huntley; as well as parts of the Village of Hampshire, the Village of Carpentersville, the City of Elgin, and unincorporated Kane County. Artwork should be two-dimensional and created on a flat surface, such as drawings, paintings or digital artwork.
The contest is open to all local high school students with one submission allowed per student, namely a high-quality image of the final piece. Traditional or digital art is permitted. Digital art must be printed properly on coated paper, which can have a matte, semi-matte, or glossy finish. AI generated or enhanced work is not permitted. The artwork must be 9”x12” or 12”x9” in size. The winning artwork will not be returned & instead be displayed within the township hall. Any other artwork is free to be taken home or can be donated to the township.
All eligible entries should be brought to the township's open house in the meeting hall (the white door next to the U.S. flag), by 3:00PM on Saturday, June 27, 2026, in Gilberts, Illinois, at the corners of Powers and Big Timber Roads. Please register your artwork when you arrive at the meeting hall. This is also where we will be showcasing submitted student creativity from across the area, and entries will be displayed in the same room for the judges to vote on. Winners will be recognized & awarded a cash prize based on alignment with the theme and overall presentation. At 3:45PM on the same day, artwork will be reviewed by judges, and three pieces will be selected to be displayed at the township. The prize for first place is $100, second place is $75, and third place is $50. Winners and a parent or guardian must be present to win.
Regulations
By entering the student art contest, each participant and his or her parent, guardian and/or legal representative warrant that the submission is the participant’s original work and not enhanced/generated with artificial intelligence. They consent to the use of the entrant’s first and last name, artwork, grade, and town/village in the 2026 Rutland Township Student Art Contest at the June 27, 2026 open house and other related promotional items without further permission, compensation or approval. Participants assign all copyright, trademarks and other intellectual property rights related to their entries to Rutland Township. In consideration for the participation in this art contest, participants and their parents, guardians, and/or legal representatives release, discharge, indemnify and agree to hold harmless Rutland Township, their board, employees, and partners from all claims, damages, demands, obligations, or losses of any kind related to this art contest.
