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WINTER CREATIVITY CONTEST

 

2026 WINNERS

Poetry – Grades 6-8 
 
  • 1st Place: Adelaide C., Souls 
  • 2nd Place: Caroline H., Georgia 
  • 3rd Place (tie): 
    • Leighton A., Anxiety 
    • Josiah O., Colors on Canvas 
  • Honorable Mention: Eloise S. 
 Poetry – Grades 9-12 
 
  • 1st Place: Karmen S., Has my history gotten lighter 
  • 2nd Place: Luke R., I have bed of skeletons 
  • 3rd Place: Lillian P., The Street Corner 
  • Honorable Mentions: Efrata A., Johnna-Averi B. 
Prose – Grades 6-8 
 
  • 1st Place: Heather Y., This I Believe: Don’t Let Your Imp Get You 
  • 2nd Place: Caroline H., Confessions of an (Ex) Reality Star (Part 1) 
  • 3rd Place: Eliza J. M., Subjects Unknown 
  • Honorable Mention: Miriam M.  
 Prose – Grades 9-12 
 
  • 1st Place: Georgia N., The Murder of Froggy 
  • 2nd Place: Efrata A., Voice of Democracy 
  • 3rd Place: Julia R., On Living in the Future: What About the Now? 
2D Art – Grades 6-8 
 
  • 1st Place: Max G., Seaside Tree 
  • 2nd Place: April H., The Rise of a Phoenix 
  • 3rd Place: Giacomo L., Knight in Landscape 
  • Honorable Mentions: Charles S., Eloise S., Rory Z. 
 2D Art – Grades 9-12 
 
  • 1st Place: Laren L., The Closet of Yesterdays and Tomorrow 
  • 2nd Place: Jordan F., Shattered Self-Image 
  • 3rd Place (tie): 
    • Charlotte B., Fade 
    • Sydney B., Koi Fish 
  • Honorable Mentions: Alicia I., Juliana R., Scarlett Y. 
3D Art – Grades 6-8 
 
  • 1st Place: Anna R., The Breach 
  • 2nd Place: Juliette R., Queen of the Sea 
  • 3rd Place: Eloise S., Strawberry Crepe Cake 
 3D Art – Grades 9-12 
 
  • 1st Place: Martha C., Sid 
  • 2nd Place: Willa J., At Rest 

 


 

ABOUT


The Teen Winter Creativity Contest is a self-expressive contest for writers and artists in grades 6-12. 2026 Participants are on display at the Dope Focus Gallery at Building Momentum, located at 5380 Eisenhower Ave Suite C, Alexandria, VA 22304 and can be viewed Monday-Friday 10 AM - 4 PM April 13 - May 1.

Please join participants in celebrating their accomplishments at the gallery show and awards night on April 9th, 6:30-8 PM. 

2027 contest information will be made available in Fall 2026.


 

 

CATEGORIES & AWARDS

Each category is divided into groups for middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12):

  • Poetry
  • Prose (short story, essay)
  • 2D Art (painting, drawing, photography, mixed media, etc.)
  • 3D Art (sculpture, clay, fiber arts, or other work unable to be attached to a wall)

Alexandria Library will distribute prizes in each category.

  • 1st Prize - $100
  • 2nd Prize - $50
  • 3rd Prize - $25

Each participant will receive a certificate of award, merit or participation.

 

 

RULES & GUIDELINES

 

  1. All entries must be received by Alexandria Library by 11:59PM on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  2. All entries must be by students in middle (grades 6-8) or high school (grades 9-12) who have a mailing address in Northern Virginia or the greater metropolitan DC area.
  3. All work submitted must be original work. Entries found to be plagiarized will be automatically disqualified.
  4. One entry per student is permitted in each category (poetry, prose, 2D, 3D).
  5. Writing: submit one copy of your written work using the form below. Prose entries may not exceed 15 pages.
  6. Art: submit at least one digital image of your work. 3D objects should generally be no larger than 2'x2'x2' and must be dropped off at the Beatley Central Library at the end of February 2026. Physical items will not be accepted until arrangements are made between the participant and program coordinators.
  7. All entrants will be notified of the contest results in March, 2026.
  8. Have a question? Please contact esimmons@alexlibraryva.org

 

RESOURCES

Not quite sure what to write about?  Need some extra help when it comes to creating art?  Check out these resources from the library:

Biography in Context
Biographical essays on the world's most influential people.

Fine Arts and Music
Extensive resource for serious students of drama, music, art history, and filmmaking.

Creative Writing
Books and eBooks

Art Books
Books and eBooks

 

Last updated: December 2025