Sahuarita Young Artists Contest 2026

Calling all young artists in Sahuarita!

The Town of Sahuarita Parks & Recreation Department is holding an art design contest for Fiesta Sahuarita 2026! This year's theme is "Spike Explores Sahuarita". Participants are asked to draw the Sahuarita Parks & Recreation saguaro cactus mascot, Spike, having fun in Sahuarita! This can be at a recognizable Sahuarita location, like Anamax Park, the Sahuarita Library, or Sahuarita Schools, or Spike participating in a Sahuarita activity or event, like Camp Sahuarita, Winterfest, or playing at the new splashpad!

The winning designs will be featured on limited edition Spike TRADING CARDS that we will give away at Fiesta Sahuarita 2026. 

One design will be chosen to be featured in the DRONE SHOW at the event!

Please read all of the contest rules before submitting your entry. Submissions that do not meet all of the requirements as listed in the contest rules may be disqualified.

Contest Rules and Requirements:

• Notice: By submitting a design, the artist and the artist's parent/guardian give consent to the Town of Sahuarita Parks & Recreation to use their design at the event and in marketing materials as well as use the artist's first name and grade level in potential recognition announcements if their design is selected. They also give their consent to any necessary alterations of the design.

• Grade: This contest is open to students in gradesK - 12. Residents of Sahuarita, as well as residents of surrounding areas, are invited to participate, but all young artists must meet the grade level requirement.

• Size: Submissions should be drawn to fit within a square shape.

• Design: Designs can be drawn on blank paper, the back of the Young Artists Contest flyer, or digitally. Scanning or a well-lit photo is recommended for non-digital art. Only original designs that they have drawn themselves will be accepted. AI-generated images will not be accepted. Inclusion of copyrighted or plagiarized material will disqualify an entry.

• Theme: Spike is exploring Sahuarita! What activities do you think he'd like to do or places he would want to visit while in Sahuarita? Draw Spike at your favorite place in Sahuarita, doing an activity you like to do in Sahuarita, or attending a Sahuarita event! Some ideas include: 

  • Spike fishing at Sahuarita Lake

  • Spike at the Winterfest tree lighting

  • Spike playing at the Anamax Splashpad

  • Spike checking out books at the Sahuarita Library

  • Spike visiting Sahuarita town hall

  • Spike playing basketball at La Villita Community Center, etc.

• Additional info:your design will be the illustration on a custom Spike trading card!In addition to your drawing, please give us the following details to be included on the card as well. This portion is optional and our staff can help fill in these details after you've submitted if you don't have specifics in mind:

  • Name of Card- what you would name your version of Spike

  • Location- where in Sahuarita is Spike

  • Type- pick which category fits your entry best -  "Sahuarita Events", "At the Park", "Around Town", or "Getting Active"

  • Ability / Fun Fact- what special ability does your version of Spike have? Or, what fun fact would Spike share about the activity/location/event he is participating in

  • For example, if you illustrated Spike checking out a book at the Sahuarita Library, you might give the following card details:

    • Name of Card: Reader Spike

    • Location: Sahuarita Library

    • Type: "Around Town"

    • Ability / Fun Fact: getting a library card is free!

• Due date: the last day to submit entries will be Sunday,March 22nd, 2026.

All submissions will remain anonymous until the winners are chosen. Once the deadline for submissions has passed, Town of Sahuarita Employees will participate in a voting process to select the winners.

Contact Information:

Submission: