Nature Quest

Nature Quest Art Contest
Calling all Youth ARTISTS!
Prince George’s County residents 18 years old and under. You are cordially invited to enter this year’s Nature Quest Art Contest. Explore your backyard, a local park, or other outdoor environments. Tell your nature story by drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, or poetry.
Categories for entry include: Drawing & Painting, Photography, Poetry
M-NCPPC will recognize three winners from elementary, middle, and high school!
$300 for 1st place winners , $200 for 2nd place winners, $100 for 3rd place winners
Entries must be received by no later than Friday, December 6, 2024
Must be a Prince George’s County resident, 18 years old and under.
You may enter as many categories as you want! Entries must be inspired by nature.
Click the button below to upload entries to our Submittable website
DEADLINE for Submission: Sunday, November 30, 2025, at 11:59 pm
2026 Nature Quest Dates:
Submissions Open: July 1 – November 30, 2026
Artwork Deadline: Sunday, November 30, 2025
Opening Reception Date: Friday, January 9, 2026 6:30-8:30pm
Exhibit Open from January 9 – 21, 2026
Eligibility Requirements:
- This contest is open to Prince George’s County residents that are 18 years old and under. No purchase is necessary.
- Entries must be inspired by nature.
- Content of the work must be original. Use of another artist’s work is not eligible.
- You may enter as many categories as you want!
Award Categories include Drawing/Painting, Photography, and Poetry
Open to ages 4-18 and grade levels
Elementary School: K – Grade 5
Middle School: Grades 6 – 8
High School: Grades 9 – 12
Contest Guidelines
Looking for Inspiration?
Visit these nature parks for more inspiration
Questions?
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please contact Shaiday Dancy at shaiday.dancy@pgparks.com
The 2026 Nature Quest Art Contest is a program of The Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Department of Parks & Recreation, Prince George’s County, Arts and Cultural Heritage Division.
2025 Nature Quest Winners
Elementary School 1st Place Winners:

Thomas Becraft (photography)

Alyssa Mills (visual art)
Middle School Winners:

Dora McKenzie (photography)

Joy Shelton (visual arts)
High School Winners:

Violet Stallings (photography)

Izzi Baden (visual arts)