Call for Art — 2026
Echoes of Fall: Celebrating Resiliency Thru Young Eyes
Young artists — this is your moment. Create a work of art that shows what resilience looks like through your eyes and share it with your community.
Free to Enter · Ages 18 & Under · Drop-off Oct 19–23 · $100 First Place Prize
The Theme
What does resiliency look like through your eyes?
Strength isn't always loud. Sometimes it lives in the quiet act of continuing — in the way a tree holds its color as the season shifts, in the way a young person keeps going when things get hard. That is what Echoes of Fall: Celebrating Resiliency Thru Young Eyes asks you to capture.
Create a visual work of art that shows you celebrating resilience. What does it mean to you? Where do you find your strength? Let your artwork answer that question, and pair it with a short essay (25–200 words) that explains your vision in your own words.
This is an open invitation to every young artist in Cumberland County, Fort Bragg, Pope Field, and DoDEA schools. No prior experience required — just your perspective and your creativity.
How to Enter
Step 1 — Create Your Artwork
Make a visual work of art on paper or canvas (no frames) using oil, watercolor, acrylics, pastels, or mixed media. Size must be landscape 11" × 14" or portrait 8.5" × 11". One submission per artist.
Step 2 — Write Your Essay
Write 25 to 200 words explaining why your artwork represents resiliency through young eyes. It can be handwritten or typed. Paper-clip it to your artwork — it is a required part of the submission.
Step 3 — Submit Your Entry
Print and complete the entry form, then attach it to the back of your artwork. Hand-deliver your full submission to the Child Advocacy Center at 222 Rowan Street, Fayetteville, between October 19–23, 2026, Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
Contest Guidelines
Who Can Enter
Open to all artists 18 years of age and younger residing in or attending school in Cumberland County, Fort Bragg, Pope Field, or DoDEA schools. No prior training required.
Format & Size
One work of art per artist. Paper or canvas paper only — no frames. Landscape 11" × 14" or portrait 8.5" × 11". A 25–200 word essay is required with every submission.
Accepted Media
Oil, watercolor, acrylics, pastels, or mixed media.
Entry Fee
FREE — there is no charge to submit your work.
Additional forms available at cacfaync.org.
Categories & Prizes
October 19–23, 2026 — Artwork Drop-off at the Child Advocacy Center, 222 Rowan Street, Fayetteville. Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
November 5, 2026 — Winners announced at the Art Contest Reception, Downtown Cumberland County Public Library, 5:00 PM. Those recognized will receive an email in advance.
November 30 – December 4, 2026 — Artwork pickup at the Child Advocacy Center, 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM. Artwork not picked up by December 4th will be considered abandoned.
Please note: No calls or visits may be made to the CAC to learn about winners ahead of the reception.
Key Dates
- Theme: Brave Autumn: Growing Strong with Love & Light
- Art Mediums Accepted: Oil, watercolor, acrylics, pastels, and mixed media
- Size & Format:
- Landscape: 11" x 14"
- Portrait: 8.5" x 11"
- Art must be on paper or canvas paper (unframed)
- Essay: Handwritten or typed (paper-clipped to the artwork)
- Entry Fee: FREE!
Where to Deliver Your Work
Child Advocacy Center
222 Rowan Street, Fayetteville, NC
Monday–Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Drop-off window: October 19–23, 2026 only
Artwork must be hand-delivered — mailed submissions are not accepted. Attach the completed entry form to the back of your artwork before arriving.
Entry Form Fields:
Artist Full Name · Parent/Guardian Full Name · Mailing Address · Email Address · Phone Number · Title of Artwork · Name of School · Grade & Age
Get the entry form at cacfaync.org.
Rights & Conditions
By submitting work, the artist grants the Child Advocacy Center and its partnering agencies permission to photograph or videotape any works accepted for archival, publication, and publicity purposes. All works of art — including winning pieces — become the property of the CAC, including reproduction rights. Participation constitutes acceptance of these conditions.
Presented By
SOAR — Strengths in Overcoming Adversity thru Resiliency Community Coalition
Joining hands with 19 community agencies, SOAR is dedicated to building resilience across Cumberland County. The Child Advocacy Center provides a safe, child-friendly environment to support abused children and prevention education for parents and professionals. The CAC looks to a future where all children live safely and free from abuse.
Cumberland County Public Library
We embrace innovative, traditional, and transformational approaches that support, encourage, and engage our diverse community. The library provides free and equitable access to resources and experiences for all. The library sees you.
