AUSTIN, Texas—Today, Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., encourages students across the Lone Star State to participate in the 30th Annual Treasures of the Texas Coast Children's Art Contest supported by the Texas General Land Office’s (GLO) Adopt-A-Beach Program. Every public, private, and homeschooled kindergarten through sixth-grade Texas student is invited to submit their original artwork to the contest. Students' artwork should illustrate why the Texas coast is important or special to each student.
“Every year, the GLO’s Adopt-A-Beach program asks Texas students to illustrate why our beautiful beaches are important to them through an original piece of artwork, and it is always an honor to see the creativity and talent of the next generation of Texans,” said Commissioner Buckingham. “This annual contest is not only a creative outlet for schoolchildren, but also an exciting way to help them learn more about why coastal habitats and communities are vital to our state and our duty to protect them. I look forward to seeing this year’s incredible artwork from gifted students across Texas.”
Commissioner Buckingham proudly shows off the winning entry for the 29th Annual Treasures of the Texas Coast Children's Art Contest.
All submissions must be postmarked by Wednesday, March 4, 2026, and mailed to the GLO at:
Texas General Land Office
Adopt-A-Beach Program: Children’s Art Contest 2026
P.O. Box 12873
Austin, Texas 78711-2873
Contest Details:
Forty winners will be announced in mid-April 2026, and prizes will be distributed by June 2026. Ten entries from each grade category (K-2nd, 3rd-4th, 5th, 6th) will be selected for prizes: five winners from public schools or homeschoolers, and five winners from private or art schools within each grade category. No more than three winners from the same school will be allowed in each grade category. A panel of judges will determine winners.
Judging will be based on originality, creativity, and consistency with the theme "Treasures of the Texas Coast" and adherence to the Contest Rules. One grand prize winner will be chosen from among the 40 finalists. All 40 winners’ artwork will appear together in the Adopt-A-Beach 2027 calendar.
All teachers (public, private, or homeschool) that submit qualified artwork from five or more students, with completed entry forms and eligible art entries, will be entered into a random drawing to receive one 6-8 night Caribbean cruise for two, courtesy of Royal Caribbean departing out of Galveston, Miami, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral or Puerto Rico.
For more information, contest rules, and an entry form for the contest, click the button below:
30th Annual Treasures of the Texas Coast Children's Art Contest
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Dr. Dawn Buckingham made history in 2022, winning a statewide election to become Texas' first female Land Commissioner. As Land Commissioner, Dr. Dawn Buckingham is committed to helping Texans after a disaster, supporting Texas energy, ensuring that every child in Texas receives a high-quality public education, serving Texas Veterans, and securing the border to keep our communities safe.