"Historical Coventry: A Celebration in Art" Student Art Contest
A collaboration of the Coventry Historic Preservation Commission, Paine House (WRICHC), Coventry Public Library, Nathanael Greene Homestead, Parks & Recreation & the Town of Coventry.
Historical Coventry: A Celebration in Art!
In celebration of "Rhode Island 250," the 250th anniversary of the signing of the nation's Declaration of Independence, Coventry is holding a town-wide student art contest for grades Kindergarten - 12th grade, culminating in an art reception extravaganza!
Winners will receive gift cards, trophies, and medals! Art submissions will be displayed, and a panel of jurors will choose a first, second, and third prize winner for each category.
RI250 is one event out of many local events that are part of the state celebration, including Coventry's Summer Fest & Parade and a multitude of historic-based programming at the Coventry Public Library, Paine House, and Nathanael Greene Homestead. More information can be found here.
Theme & Art Media:
In the spirit of RI250, the theme is "Historical Coventry: A Celebration in Art" and we encourage submissions to be based on any aspect of Coventry history, from any time period. Students may submit art work in various media (painting, sculpture, pastels, drawings, 2D, 3D, multimedia, etc.), with certain height / width and weight limitations (more information coming soon). Submissions will be judged, and awards will be based on, relevancy to the historical theme and originality.
We understand that "Historical Coventry" is a broad theme, and encourage students to explore any aspect of our local history in your work of art, including people, buildings, landscapes, events, etc. For inspiration, chat with your family, friends, teachers, and librarians! The Coventry Public Library has many books on local history, so come by for some inspiration!
Criteria, Judging & Prizes:
There are 5 grade categories, for students in grades K - 12 who live in Coventry:
Category A: Kindergarten and Elementary Schools, K - 2nd grades
Category B: Middle Schools, 6th - 8th grades
Category C: Elementary Schools, 3rd - 5th grades
Category D: High school, 9th - 10th grades
Category E: High school, 11th - 12th grades
People's Choice: All attendees on Tuesday, May 19th will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite art work! The winner of the People's Choice award will have their art work printed on a special edition library card that will be issued to Coventry Public Library cardholders!
Prizes will include a trophy and gift card for first prize winners in each category, a medal and gift card for 2nd prize winners in each category, and a certificate and small gift card for 3rd prize winners in each category. The People's Choice winner will be tallied and announced that evening and the recipient will be awarded a medal and small gift card.
Submissions that are traced or use AI are not allowed and will not be judged. Photography is also not permitted. One submission per student. See full submission Rules below.
A panel of 5 jurors comprised of Town and Library officials, the Paine House, and Nathanael Greene Homestead will choose winning art submissions based on the criteria. Trophies and prizes will be awarded at 6:30 p.m. on the night of the Art Show & Reception, Tuesday, May 19th, 2026.
Submission Deadline:
Art work must be submitted to the Coventry Public Library, 1672 Flat River Road, Coventry RI, between Monday, April 20th - Sunday, May 3rd during the library's open hours. Library open hours are as follows:
| Monday - Thursday | 9 am - 8 pm |
| Friday - Saturday | 9 am - 5 pm |
| Sundays | 12 pm - 4 pm |
Art Show & Reception - One Night Only! Tuesday, May 19th, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Join us for the Art Show & Reception, where all submitted qualifying art work will be on display - for one night only! Students, family and friends are welcome to join us on Tuesday, May 19th from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. at The Community Learning Center (previously called the Annex) at 1675 Flat River Road (across the street from the Town Hall / Library).
Finger sandwiches, light refreshments, and cookies will be served.
Winners will be announced and awarded prizes at 6:30 p.m. We encourage all students who submitted art work to attend, along with their friends and families. Winners do not have to be present to win, but are strongly encouraged to attend the Art Show & Reception.
With questions, please contact askreference@coventrylibrary.org or call 822-9105.
Coventry Student Art Contest 2026: Rules
These Coventry Student Art Contest Rules were developed by a Committee made up of members of the Coventry Public Library, the Town of Coventry, the Western Rhode Island Civic Historical Society & Paine House Museum, the Coventry Historic Preservation Commission and the Nathanael Greene Homestead, in conjunction with the Coventry Public Schools and Coventry Parks and Recreation.
GENERAL CONTEST REQUIREMENTS
- The student must be a resident of the Town of Coventry, Rhode Island.
- Only the student may work on their art submission.
- Art submissions must adhere to the Requirements and Guidelines listed below.
- Students and a parent/guardian will be required to sign an Artwork Submission Form when submitting their artwork.
- Artwork must be completed and submitted to the Coventry Public Library, 1672 Flat River Road, Coventry, R.I. between Monday, April 20 and Sunday, May 3, 2026 during the library’s open hours:
- Monday – Thursday, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Friday – Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
JUDGING
- Art work will be judged by a panel of jurors (panel) in 5 categories:
- A: Kindergarten & Elementary K – 2nd grade
- B: Elementary School 3rd – 5th grade
- C: Middle School 6th – 8th grade
- D: High School 9th – 10th grade
- E: High School 11th – 12th grade
Additionally, the People’s Choice award will be voted on by all art show attendees, and the winner will have their art work printed on a special edition library card that will be given out to patrons of the Coventry Public Library.
GENERAL ARTWORK REQUIREMENTS
Artwork subject matter will adhere to the Historic Coventry theme.
Certain types, styles, and methods of artwork are not permitted in the competition. Artwork of these types will be disqualified:
- Jewelry (including necklaces, pendants, rings, and belt buckles)
- Wood burning
- Photographic or digital work
- Artwork created on glass, mirror, plastic, metal, or any reflective material
- Traced images
- Works incorporating artificial intelligence (AI).
The subject matter for all artwork must be “Historic Coventry” and related to the history of Coventry, R.I. from any time period. This theme is purposefully broad to encourage submissions on a wide range of topics such as local people, culture, buildings, industries, farming, logging, and landscapes.
Due to blind judging, artwork may NOT have any identifying information located anywhere on the artwork including the front, back, bottom, and sides. Identifying information includes student names, signatures, school names, etc. Students wishing to sign their artwork may do so AFTER the contest.
All artwork should have a title. Identifying information as mentioned above may not be included in the title.
All artwork must be dry.
Please do not frame your artwork. (Matting is allowed – see 2-Dimensional Guidelines below)
All artwork must be the student’s original composition and content and individual expression.
Trademarked logos, slogans and licensed characters, or characters that are strikingly similar to the licensed characters are not permitted in whole or in part. This also applies to the title of the artwork.
Disqualification decisions made by the Committee of the Art Contest are final.
CONSENT:
The student and parent/guardians understand that as a condition of participation in the Art Contest they are granting permission to display the student’s artwork in whole, in part or composite. The student and parent/guardian waive and release any and all rights to inspect/approve the final product and they release, discharge, and hold harmless the Art Contest, the Town of Coventry and the Committee from any liability by virtue of the use of the student’s artwork or images.
The Art Contest and the Committee are not responsible for loss, theft, or damage of artwork. Artwork will not be repaired.
ARTWORK GUIDELINES
Each student may submit one Two-Dimensional artwork OR one Three-Dimensional artwork.
2-DIMENSIONAL GUIDELINES
Allowed Mediums/Materials
- Pastels
- Acrylic Paint
- Ink
- Chalk
- Watercolor
- Markers
- Fabric
- Charcoal
- Oil Paint
- Pen
- Airbrush
- Pencil
- Crayon
- Dye
Allowed Surfaces:
- Stretched canvas
- Canvas boards
- Paper
- Artboards
- Masonite Boards
- Fabric
Allowed sizes
- Minimum Size 4” x 6” - horizontal or vertical
- Maximum Size: 20” x 24” – horizontal or vertical
- Please spray or seal any charcoal, pastel, or pencil drawings.
If Artwork is submitted on paper, we encourage matting or mounting the piece to prevent sagging.
Mounting may be matt board, cardboard, foam core, poster board or similar product.
3-DIMENSIONAL GUIDELINES
Sculpture Mediums
- Forms created by hand using clay that has been fully dried
- Must be in one piece with no sharp edges or dangerous areas
- No offensive odors
- Needle craft or fiber arts allowed
Allowed Sizes
No bigger than 20 inches tall
No heavier than 10 pounds.
Free Standing
CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS
For questions about art submissions or the Contest rules, please contact the Reference Department at the Coventry Public Library at 401-822-9105 or email askreference@coventrylibrary.org. You may also find more information online at https://coventrylibrary.libcal.com/event/16138948.