Missouri Art Education Association (MAEA) wants to showcase your original artwork in their next Show Me Art Coloring Book. In creating and selling this book, it is MAEA’s goal is to raise scholarship funds for a deserving high school senior who aspires to become a Missouri Art Educator. Therefore, 100% of the proceeds from the sale of the coloring book will be used for the MAEA Future Visual Art Teacher Scholarship.

INSTRUCTIONS: 

Create a line drawing to fit the theme EXPLORING MISSOURI STATE PARKS.  Showcase your favorite spot, scenery, or activity you enjoy at one of the many Missouri State Parks.

The subject matter of your drawing should be your own interpretation. It may include historical background about the park area, views from the park, activities you enjoy at the park, animals you see there, buildings/structures at the park, etc.  However, any copyrighted images, such as licensed characters or sports logos, will NOT be accepted for publication.     

Here are some prompts to help get your students brainstorming ideas:

1. Draw any buildings or historical architecture within a Missouri State Park, and include the surrounding areas, such as overlooking the lake, rivers, and trails. 

2. Create a fun scene of people splashing, hiking, or playing in a Missouri State Park.

3. Illustrate one of the majestic geological formations or winding paths and trails at a Missouri State Park.

4. Show a scenic stretch of the Katy Trail with a bike path, river views, and trees along the way.

5. Depict bison grazing in the tallgrass prairies, insects on wildflowers, native Missouri trees, panoramic views of hillsides or cliffs, and/or other wildlife within a Missouri State Park.

The subject matter of your drawing should be your own interpretation and may include a famous person, historical site, etc.  However, any copyrighted images, such as licensed characters or sports logos, will not be accepted for publication.     

• Fill the page. Draw large enough to create interesting shapes that someone will color.

• Avoid lettering and/or handwritten words on your art. Instead, create a drawing to show your interpretation, and add enough details so anyone might recognize the state park you are drawing. You have a chance to tell us which state park inspired your drawing in your artist statement. 

• No signatures on your art. If your art is chosen, you will have your name, grade level, school name, art teacher's name, and town featured on a page with your artist statement next to your drawing.

• No large black spaces or thick black lines. Draw shapes instead of filling in an area with black. You are creating a coloring book page that others would enjoy coloring those areas any color they want. 

• Quality Requirement: Image must be entirely black & white, no colors or grayscale

• Erase all extra marks. Your final drawing should look like a coloring book page. Go over your pencil lines with a new black marker.

• Convert the final drawing into a high-quality (minimum 300 ppi) jpg or PNG format for submission.

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES: 

Submit your entry online (https://www.maea.net/programs-and-events/Contest). Minors must have a legal parent or guardian submit for them or a parent's signature release. Limit 10 entries per teacher.  Students should submit their parents' email addresses, as most schools will not allow outside emails. This is why we also ask for your art teacher's email address. Winning entrants will be notified via their art teacher's email, and then the parents' email when the book is printed. Coloring books will be available for purchase online at Amazon or at cooperating merchant stores.

DEADLINE: Entries must be submitted by October 23, 2026 11:59 pm CST Entries received after the deadline may be considered for future coloring book editions.