The search for Currituck’s most creative young minds is on as 4-H officially opens its 2026 Artistic Expression and Creative Writing Contest.
Local youth are invited to submit original work across several categories, including painting, photography, digital art, and sewing, alongside a creative writing division.
This annual competition offers a unique platform for young artists to showcase their craftsmanship and explore the equine world through their own creative lens.
Entries to the following are being accepted now through June 15, 2026:
Craft Horse Contest – Exhibit your craft skills by creating horse items for your horse or yourself. This opportunity allows the youth to explore and develop economical alternatives for themselves and their horse.
Horse Drawing Contest – Broaden your horizons and use your creative talents to increase awareness of the horse project through drawing exhibitions.
Horse Painting Contest – Encourages members to apply their artistic talent within the horse project area by increasing their knowledge and skill in equine painting while learning the value of developing visual exhibits for a specific topic.
Horse Digitally Created Art– Encourages members to broaden their horizons and utilize creative talents within the Horse Project. All artwork submitted must be digital paintings and or drawings created with illustration software and highlight some aspect of horses/equine, horseback riding, etc.
Horse Poster Contest – Provides a medium for youth to visually demonstrate their interest in horses. Enables youth to improve their skills in linking words and visuals to create an appealing display.
Horse Photography Contest – Encourages youth to gain self-confidence, while developing life-time photographic skills. While learning the value of organizing and developing visual exhibits, youth will increase their knowledge of photography as it relates to horses.
Horse Sewing Contest – Exhibit your sewing skills by creating horse items for your horse or yourself. This opportunity allows the youth to explore and develop economical alternatives for themselves and their horse.
Horse Creative Writing Contests – Learn to become a more effective writer while exploring the wonderful world of horses.
For more information on this contest and how to enter refer to the link below, entry deadline is June 15, 2026
https://equinehusbandry.ces.ncsu.edu/nc-4-h-contests-resources/artistic-expression-events/
For more information or accommodations for persons with disabilities please contact Tom Harrell at 252-232-2261 or through email tom_harrell@ncsu.edu no later than five business days before the event
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