Optimist Club Visual Arts Competition
Sponsored by West Bend Community Memorial Library & the Optimist Club of
West Bend
The 2026 Visual Arts Competition information is below and view this year's flyer HERE!
Check out our past winners below!
View the Visual Arts Competition winners - Daily News Article HERE.
iew the Visual Arts Competition runner-ups - Daily News article HERE.
Check out our past winners below!
View the Visual Arts Competition winners - Daily News Article HERE.
iew the Visual Arts Competition runner-ups - Daily News article HERE.
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View COMPLETE 2026 Competition Rules HERE:
1. Artists must be eleven years old or younger as of October 1, 2025.
2. There are two separate categories of artwork: Paintings & Drawings.
3. The artists may submit only one piece of artwork in each category.
4. The artwork is to reflect the artist’s concept of: "Be Bold, Be the Change."
5. Artwork must be created in "landscape format" 11" wide by 8.5" high.
6. The deadline to submit all artwork is January, 23 2026.
7. Submit each painting or drawing with a copy of the entry form to the Circulation/Information desk at the
West Bend Community Memorial Library, (Attn: Terika Koch)
630 Poplar Street, West Bend, WI 53095
Attach a copy of the entry form to the back of each submission.
8. Each entry is judged solely on the quality of the artwork, no names are to be on the front of the artwork. The artist’s name and any other identifiers may not appear on the front of the artwork but must be included on the official Entry Form.
9. The artwork will then be put on public display at the West Bend Community Memorial Library between Feb. 2-13, 2026, where it will be judged by the public based on its visual quality and its relationship to the topic: "Be Bold, Be the Change."
10. First, second, and third-place winners in each category as judged by the public will receive an award from the Optimist Club.
11. First ($25), second ($15), and third ($10) place winners in each category as judged by the public will receive a monetary award and certificate from the West Bend Optimist Club
12. The two first place winners (1st place paintings & 1st place drawings) will then be submitted to by the Optimist Club of West Bend to Optimist International Visual Arts Competition. The project for the Visual Arts Competition shall be the creation of a set of twelve note cards and envelopes. at the International level, there is a monetary award for 13 Optimist International winners: one for the image selected to go on the cover and one imaged selected for each notecard. for a chance to win a monetary award.
13. Entrants who do not win a prize are welcome to pick up their art between March 2-20. Art that is not picked up will be disposed on after March 20.
1. Artists must be eleven years old or younger as of October 1, 2025.
2. There are two separate categories of artwork: Paintings & Drawings.
3. The artists may submit only one piece of artwork in each category.
4. The artwork is to reflect the artist’s concept of: "Be Bold, Be the Change."
5. Artwork must be created in "landscape format" 11" wide by 8.5" high.
6. The deadline to submit all artwork is January, 23 2026.
7. Submit each painting or drawing with a copy of the entry form to the Circulation/Information desk at the
West Bend Community Memorial Library, (Attn: Terika Koch)
630 Poplar Street, West Bend, WI 53095
Attach a copy of the entry form to the back of each submission.
8. Each entry is judged solely on the quality of the artwork, no names are to be on the front of the artwork. The artist’s name and any other identifiers may not appear on the front of the artwork but must be included on the official Entry Form.
9. The artwork will then be put on public display at the West Bend Community Memorial Library between Feb. 2-13, 2026, where it will be judged by the public based on its visual quality and its relationship to the topic: "Be Bold, Be the Change."
10. First, second, and third-place winners in each category as judged by the public will receive an award from the Optimist Club.
11. First ($25), second ($15), and third ($10) place winners in each category as judged by the public will receive a monetary award and certificate from the West Bend Optimist Club
12. The two first place winners (1st place paintings & 1st place drawings) will then be submitted to by the Optimist Club of West Bend to Optimist International Visual Arts Competition. The project for the Visual Arts Competition shall be the creation of a set of twelve note cards and envelopes. at the International level, there is a monetary award for 13 Optimist International winners: one for the image selected to go on the cover and one imaged selected for each notecard. for a chance to win a monetary award.
13. Entrants who do not win a prize are welcome to pick up their art between March 2-20. Art that is not picked up will be disposed on after March 20.
- Submit all paintings and drawings by January, 23 2026.
- Submit each with an attached Entry Form. Download the Entry Form HERE.
- Submit all paintings and drawings by delivering them to the: Circulation/Information Desk (ATTN: Terika Koch) West Bend Community Memorial Library, 630 Poplar Street, West Bend, WI 53095
Optimist Club Essay Contest
Contest begins December 1, 2026!
The 2025-2026 theme is: " How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me."
The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country, or a more historical perspective. In addition to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship through Optimist International!
The first-place winner will receive $150 and a medallion. The second-place winner will receive $100 and a medallion. All other participants will receive a certificate. First and second-place winners will advance to the zone competition. The 1st and 2nd place winners of the Zone Contest will then advance to the District level to compete in a zone competition that should occur in May. Students will be asked to attend the Information Session the Friday before the Saturday competition. Please be prepared to participate and compete in the contest on a Saturday in May (Date TBD). Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. The District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations.
Essay Topic: "How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me"
What now?: Write your essay, use the participant checklist, and complete the application form found HERE, or by emailing [email protected] to request an application. Then Submit the essay to [email protected], or mail it to: Optimist Club of West Bend, P.O. Box 1076, West Bend, WI 53095, or drop it off at Silverbrook Intermediate School, Attn: Principal Roell. Entries must be postmarked or delivered by February 1st. Winners will be contacted and announced in the Daily News and 0n the West Bend Optimist Club Facebook page.
Got Questions?
Contact contest chair, Lance Roell, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 262-306-8789.
The first-place winner will receive $150 and a medallion. The second-place winner will receive $100 and a medallion. All other participants will receive a certificate. First and second-place winners will advance to the zone competition. The 1st and 2nd place winners of the Zone Contest will then advance to the District level to compete in a zone competition that should occur in May. Students will be asked to attend the Information Session the Friday before the Saturday competition. Please be prepared to participate and compete in the contest on a Saturday in May (Date TBD). Club winners advance to the District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. The District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundations.
Essay Topic: "How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me"
- Who: Any student under the age of 19 as of 10/1/2025 residing in the West Bend School District boundaries who has not yet graduated from high school. There is no minimum age to participate.
- What: A 700-800 word essay on the theme. See the Optimist Club's Essay Contest Application and review the contest rules listed on the application carefully! We also suggest reading our participant Check List to help guide your successful submission.
- When: Essays must be submitted between December 1, 2025 to February 1st, 2026! Send your essay to [email protected]
- Why: The Club level first place winner will receive $150 and a medallion. The second place winner will receive $100 and a medallion. All other participants will receive a certificate. The first place essay will advance to the district competition and be eligible to win a plaque and $2,500!
What now?: Write your essay, use the participant checklist, and complete the application form found HERE, or by emailing [email protected] to request an application. Then Submit the essay to [email protected], or mail it to: Optimist Club of West Bend, P.O. Box 1076, West Bend, WI 53095, or drop it off at Silverbrook Intermediate School, Attn: Principal Roell. Entries must be postmarked or delivered by February 1st. Winners will be contacted and announced in the Daily News and 0n the West Bend Optimist Club Facebook page.
Got Questions?
Contact contest chair, Lance Roell, by emailing [email protected] or by calling 262-306-8789.
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