I wonder...

Wonder, curiosity, and questions are a part of growing up and finding your place in your communities. Harnessing these superpowers allows you to find the right answers to make your world, and our shared world, a better place. Your wonderful brain and unique thoughts are all part of your journey of curiosity and questions! As you create your art, we encourage you to consider what you wonder about?

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 42nd annual Arts Education Week, which is set for March 11-15, 2024.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2024 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in cooperation with the Governor's Office.

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2024 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.

High School Division:
9-12 Winner
Lillian Wang Age: 16 Grade: 11th
Stevenson High School (Teacher: Feng Xie, fengxie@sbcglobal.net)

“As children, we all wonder what is out there in the world. This curiosity drives us to learn more about the world every day. As we grow older, we gradually lose our innocence and grow more wary about the world around us. Life becomes more complex, and we have moments where we lose hope and feel like giving up. This drawing of me as a young child, eagerly pointing out the window, is about memorializing the innocence and wonder we have about the world as children. Sometimes we all need to fall back on that and remember our beginnings.”

Middle School Division:
6-8 Winner
Aisha Kochar Age: 12 Grade: 6th
University of Chicago Lab Schools
Teacher: Ms. Ana Romero, Fine Arts, aromero@ucls.uchicago.edu

“I wonder what people of this generation will do about climate change and global warming. In my drawing, I am looking into a portal to the future. There are two landscapes before me. The left one shows what our world could look like in the future if we don’t show much care in improving climate change. The right one shows what our world could look like if we do something to help this situation of climate change. I am hoping that our generation can help make the world a better place for future generations.”

Elementary School Division:
3-5 Winner (Best in Show)
Keziah Haynes Age: 11 Grade: 5th
Prairie Oak Elementary School, Berwyn North 98
Teacher: Ms. Lopez-Martinez, Fine Arts, rlopezmartinez@bn98.org

“My artwork is called, “A Ripple Effect” and it is somewhat more abstract than any of my other works of art. The purpose of creating this piece was to spark interest and invite the concept of wonder to the viewer. The meaning behind the work is up to discussion and it allows viewers to have a different insight to the artwork. I want them to look and reflect on their own personal wonder.

As a fifth-grade student, “I Wonder,” I think about what I want to be when I grow up. The endless possibilities puzzle me – what would my future hold? “A Ripple Effect” demonstrates this as a young girl, peer down at her older reflection illuminating her as a college graduate.

What can wonder do for you?”

Early Learning School Division:
K-2 Winner
Mia Claire Luunguyen Age: 6 Grade: 1st
Westchester Primary School, Westchester School District 92.5
Teacher: Mrs. Jill Jacobsen, Fine Arts, jjacobsen@sd925.org

“I wonder how pretty it is to be inside a rainbow. I wonder what the view of the city looks like from the rainbow. I wonder if everyone is loving, peaceful, and kind.”

2023

"HOME IS"...

[hohm] noun/adverb/adjective

Home is more than a structure.
Home is belonging, the feeling of arrival, a memory, or a moment.
Home is past, present, and future and means different things to different people.
Home is where you feel safe and where you find a haven.

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 41st annual Arts Education Week, which is set for March 13-17, 2023.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2023 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in cooperation with the Governor's Office.

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2023 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.

High School Division:
9-12 Winner (Best in Show)
Lauren Lee Age: 18 Grade: 11th
Glenbrook North High School, Glenbrook North High School District #225 (Teacher: Chad Davidson, Fine Arts, cdavidson@glennbrook225.org)

"Home is where life begins. Home is where life ends. Home is life. There is an old myth that storks deliver babies to families. They deliver babies that carry life to a house. In this painting, I made them carry houses instead, as houses symbolize life. There are different kinds of life – life with a significant other, life with a family, life alone, etc. Whether or not these lives are joyful, all of them produce their own kind of love. They produce love in different colors and different shapes."

Middle School Division:
6-8 Winner
Anaya Chikhalia Age: 11 Grade: 6th
Hanover Countryside, Elgin Area School District U46 (Teacher: Mrs. Jill Schmidt, Fine Arts, jillschmidt@u-46.org

"Home is Home. I drew a house inside a heart because...anywhere you go, you will miss your home. You would miss your room, bed, and your sofa. If I am on vacation away from home, I would think about home I would miss it. I also would think about people who don’t have a home or can’t afford one. Those people wouldn’t have a couch or bed. They can’t watch TV with their family in the family room. When I do think about that I appreciate my mom and dad. They worked hard for us to get our house. I am very thankful. So home is important for life. It will hold all our memories that we created. My home will always be in my heart. My heart will hold the memories that me and my family had and will have. My heart will always hold my house."

Elementary School Division:
3-5 Winner
Hailey Gainer Age: 11 Grade: 5th
Three Oaks Elementary School, Cary School District #26 (Teacher: Ms. Elizabeth O’Connor, Fine Arts, Elizabeth.Oconnor@cary26.org)

"This picture represents home because flowers are a common center piece on my dinner table in my house. They have often brought me comfort if I’m having a bad day or calmed me down if I’m panicking. I have flowers in my room and even though they're fake they still give me faith. The flowers make me calm. And I think home is trust, calmness, and freedom for these reasons. First off, home is trust because you have walls, a door and a roof protecting you. You can trust that you're safe. Home is calmness because you can relax without anybody looking at you or saying something to you. You can also clear your mind in a quiet space. Lastly, home is freedom because you can do what you want, watch what you want, and say what you want in your own home. You have the freedom to do what you wish in your home. Flowers are my way of representing home and these reason in this picture."

Early Learning School Division:
K-2 Winner
Sebastian De Guzman Age: 7 Grade: 2nd
Westchester Primary School, Westchester School District #92.5 (Mrs. Jill Jacobsen, Fine Arts, jjacobsen@sd925.org)

"For me, home is where I have my loving family. I chose to draw the planet earth because this is where we all live, and we should all love and take care of our home. Home is anywhere in the world, as long as I have my loved ones with me."

2022

"Survival Through Self-Expression"

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 40th annual Arts Education Week, which is set for March 14-18, 2022.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2022 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in cooperation with the Governor's Office.

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2022 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.

Middle School Division:
6-8 Winner (BEST IN SHOW/Overall Winner)
Elizabeth Ramirez Age: 13 Grade: 8th
Old Orchard Junior High, District 68 (Teacher: Nicolina Mandile-Egan, nmandile-egan@skokie68.org)

“When composing the ideas for my art piece, I first thought of what did survival of self-expression mean to me. The first image in my mind was how in this pandemic, many people coped and survived through their own self-expression. The gray tones used for the woman in the drawing set the mood of how I felt and how many felt during part of the pandemic. The striking red gladiolus flowers growing beneath the woman's hand/arm symbolizes strength that was hidden but is now growing and beginning to show. The yellow and orange marigold flower represents a light within a person, with the colors meaning positive energy and optimism. That optimism is what many people found in self-expression and that would be in different emotions of yourself shown in many forms."

High School Division:
9-12 Winner
Vidipta Roy Age: 15 Grade: 10th
Adlai E Stevenson High School, District 125 (Teacher: Patrick Fairchild)

“This piece is my rendition of how an individual survives in a society. The black and white mask represents the idea that society is built on the foundations of right and wrong. However, the person behind the peeling mask remains in color to depict their complexity, and to show how their thoughts and actions contribute to making them unique. We all are granted the freedom of expression, yet, as individuals we are constantly battling with the dilemma of choosing the most appropriate form of this freedom that lets us fit into society while simultaneously letting us remain true to ourselves."

Elementary School Division:
3-5 Winner
Daleia Muhammad-Walker Age: 11 Grade: 5th
Flossmoor Hills Elementary School, District 161 (Teacher: Ms. Kemp, ckemp@sd161.org)

“Hello, my name is Daleia Muhammad-Walker. The reason I choose the drawing I did is because nature is the reason why I survive. Nature is what keeps me pushing. That's why I choose my drawing."

Early Learning School Division:
K-2 Winner
Diana Lepak Age: 7 Grade: 2nd
Westchester Primary School, District 92.5 (Teacher: Jill Jacobsen, jjacobsen@sd925.org)

“My painting is about how to survive by having kindness, being brave, strong, smart, and have a lot of love."

2021

"Art Surrounds Us"

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 39th annual Arts Education Week, which is set for March 15-19, 2021.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2021 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in cooperation with the Governor's Office.

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2021 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.

High School Division and Overall Contest Winner: Bella Wiehle
West Chicago Community High School, West Chicago Community High School District 94
Art Teacher: Mr. David Exner

Middle School Division: Genevieve Harmount
Gurrie Middle School, La Grange district 105
Art Teacher: Ms. Alexa Motto

Elementary Division: Vanessa Andrade
Jefferson Elementary School, Berwyn North School District 98
Art Teacher: Ms. Jennifer Giemza

Early Learning School Division: Journey Boaz
Ottawa Elementary School, Ottawa School District 141
Art Teacher: Jessica Presnak

2020

"Leadership is an art"

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 38th annual Arts Education Week, which is set for March 16-20, 2020.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2020 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in cooperation with the Governor's Office.

Posters can be requested by contacting the Illinois State Board of Education’s Curriculum and Instruction Department at (217) 524-4832; arts@isbe.net; or via mail at 100 N. First St., C-215, Springfield, IL 62777-0001.

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2019 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.

High School Division and Overall Contest Winner: Matthew Seiya Abe-Bell
Springfield High School, Springfield School District 186
Art Teacher: Ms. Beth Pianezza

Middle School Division: Alexandra Bravo
Westchester Middle School, Westchester Public Schools District 92 ½
Art Teacher: Mrs. Theony Demakis

Elementary Division: Michael J. Golminas
St. Joseph School, Downers Grove
Art Teacher: Mrs. Kristen Beirne

2019

'ART CONNECTS HISTORY WITH THE FUTURE!'

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 37th annual Arts Education Week, which was set for March 11-17, 2019.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2019 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in cooperation with the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) and the Governor's Office.

Posters can be requested by contacting the Illinois State Board of Education’s CTE & Innovation Department at (217) 524-4832; arts@isbe.net; or via mail at 100 N. First St., C-215, Springfield, IL 62777-0001.

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2019 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.

First Place: Lydia Cruz
Maine South High School, District 207
Park Ridge
Cherie Rams, Art Teacher

Second Place: Declan Beahan
Northwest Middle School, CUSD 200
Woodstock
Virginia Rice, Art Teacher

Third Place: Camila Lopez
Aux Sable Elementary School, District 201
Minooka
Andrea Pierre, Art Teacher

2018

'The ARTS Make History Come Alive!'

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 36th annual Arts Education Week, which was set for March 12-18, 2018.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2018 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education in cooperation with the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) and the Governor's Office.

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2018 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.

First Place: Tejaswi Achanta
Westfield Middle School, District 13
Bloomingdale
Deyana Matt, Art Teacher

Second Place: Alec Osato
Westfield Middle School, District 13
Bloomingdale
Deyana Matt, Art Teacher

Third Place: Audrey Lupton
Franklin Middle School, District 186
Springfield
Mrs. Amy Minch, Art Teacher

2017

'Art has no boundaries!'

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 35th annual Arts Education Week, which was set for March 13-19, 2017.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2017 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education in cooperation with the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) and the Governor's Office.

We are pleased to announce and congratulate the winners of the 2017 Illinois Arts Education Week contest.

First Place: Lia Lauck, age 17, Junior
Oswego High School, District 308
Oswego
Michael Skura, Art Teacher

Second Place: Anna Schultz, age 17, Junior
The Willows Academy
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Michele Morris, Art Teacher

Third Place: Heidi Fischer, age 16, Junior
Johnsburg High School, District 12
Johnsburg
Judy Krueger, Art Teacher

2016

'There is Magic in the ARTS!'

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 34th annual Arts Education Week, which was set for March 14-20, 2016.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2016 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education in cooperation with the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) and the Governor's Office.

This year's poster contest winners will receive recognition at the 68th annual IAEA Fall Conference, Nov. 3-5 in Normal. The first-place winner was honored at a State Board of Education meeting and a framed poster has been displayed in the Board Room in Springfield.

First Place: Julia Zhang, Age 11

Art Instructor: Cindi Sartain, Highland Middle School, District 70, Libertyville, IL

Second Place: Samara Jaquez, Age 12

Art Instructor: Josh Vance, Westview Hills Middle School, Maercker District 60, Willowbrook, IL

Third Place: Nelly Gil, Age 10

Art Instructor: Stasha Hayes, Southside Elementary School, District 6, Morrison, IL

2015

'Art is Timeless'

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 33rd annual Arts Education Week, which was set for March 16-22, 2015.

Illinois Arts Education Week 2015 was sponsored by the Illinois State Board of Education in cooperation with the Illinois Art Education Association (IAEA) and the Governor's Office.

This year's poster contest winners will receive recognition at the 67th annual IAEA Fall Conference, Nov. 5-7 in Lisle. The first-place winner will be honored at a State Board of Education meeting and a framed poster will be displayed in the Board Room in Springfield.

Click on the thumbnails below to see large PDF versions the winning entries. The back of the poster features upcoming art events, resources and more.

First Place: Jessa Mae Mendiola

Art Instructor: Ms. Jen Belmonte, Hinsdale South High School, Hinsdale Township, District 86, Darien, IL

Second Place: Jeremiah Yang

Independent Entry, Glenbrook South High School, School District 225, Northfield Township, Glenview, IL

Third Place: Becca Timko

Art Instructor: Ms. Jen Belmonte, Hinsdale South High School, Hinsdale Township, District 86, Darien, IL

2014

'Art is Everywhere'

Thank you for all the entries and congratulations to the winners of the poster contest for the 33rd annual Arts Education Week, which was set for March 17-23, 2014. It was sponsored in cooperation with the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education (IAAE) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). This poster contest reinforces the importance of the arts in the growth and development of all students. Each year an Illinois student’s artwork is featured on the poster, which is sent to all public and private schools in Illinois.

The annual IAAE awards ceremony was held in March at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield. The IAAE recognizes individuals and organizations who have contributed outstanding service to the field of arts education during the past year. This year’s poster contest winner and others will also receive recognition at this ceremony. Posters can be requested by calling (217) 524-4632 or emailing arts@isbe.net or cpowell@isbe.net.

2014 Winner

Liv Bertaud, Copeland Manor School, Libertyville Elementary District 70, Libertyville
Art Instructor: Ms. Cindi Sartain

Second Place

Tina Nair, Westview Hills Middle School, Maercker School District 60, Willowbrook

Third Place

Casey K. Darre, Westfielf Middle School, Bloomingdale School District 13, Bloomingdale

2013

'Arts 4 All!'

The third week of March is traditionally designated Illinois Arts Education Week by Governor Pat Quinn. This year's Illinois Arts Education Week was March 11-17, 2013. It is also sponsored in cooperation with the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education (IAAE) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). This poster contest reinforces the importance of the arts in the growth and development of all students. Each year an Illinois student’s artwork is featured on the poster which is sent to all public and private schools in Illinois.

The Annual IAAE Awards Ceremony was held on March 14, 2013 at the Governor's Mansion in Springfield. The IAAE recognizes individuals and organizations who have contributed outstanding service to the field of arts education during the past year. This year’s poster contest winner and others received recognition at this ceremony

2013 Winner

Holly Johnson, Hinsdale South High School District 86, Darien
Art Instructor: Mr. Greg Gardner

2nd Place

Kelly Henaughan, St. Charles East High School District 303, St. Charles

3rd Place

Trystin Mansfield, DuQuoin High School District 300, DuQuoin

2012

'Be Art Smart'

The third week of March is traditionally designated Illinois Arts Education Week by Governor Pat Quinn. It is also sponsored in cooperation with the Illinois Alliance for Arts Education (IAAE) and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). This poster contest reinforces the importance of the arts in the growth and development of all students. Each year an Illinois student’s artwork is featured on the poster which is sent to all public and private schools in Illinois. The next Illinois Arts Education Week will be March 11-17, 2013. The 2013 contest will limit entries to high school students, grades 9-12 only.

The 2012 Annual IAAE Awards Ceremony was held on March 15th at the Executive Mansion in Springfield. The IAAE recognizes individuals and organizations who have contributed outstanding service to the field of arts education during the past year. This year’s poster contest winner and others received recognition at this ceremony.

March 15, 2012 -- Students honored during the 30th annual Illinois Arts Education Week Poster contest winners recognized at Governor’s Mansion in Springfield The Illinois State Board of Education honored student winners of the statewide arts education poster contest today at the Governor’s Mansion, a highlight of the 30th annual Illinois Arts Education Week that runs March 12th through the 16th and celebrates the importance of the fine arts. Students across the state competed to create posters reflective of this year’s theme, “Be Art Smart!”

2012 Winner

Reese Dannenfeldt, Copeland Manor School, Libertyville
Art Instructor, Ms. Cindi Sartain

2nd Place

Madison Meyer, Washington Elementary, Sterling

3rd Place

Daniel Diaz, Westfield Manor School, Bloomingdale

Honorable Mention

Alanna Buttitta, SD 13 - Bloomingdale

Honorable Mention

Ellen Jiang, SD 60 - Willowbrook

Honorable Mention

Eli McEwan, SD 70 - Libertyville

Honorable Mention

Giovanny Rodriguez, SD 92-1/2 - Westchester

Resources

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I wonder...