To: Members of the Public Art Commission
From: Maia Yates, Staff Liaison
Title
2026 Holiday Card Art Contest Submission Review and Selection
Body
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Executive Summary
The Public Art Commission is asked to review the eligible submissions received for the 2026 Holiday Card Art Contest and select one artwork for the Town of Castle Rock’s official holiday card. The annual contest invites elementary, middle and high school students who live or attend school in Castle Rock to create original artwork expressing what they love about the Town or what Castle Rock means to them and share their perspectives on the Castle Rock community through visual art. The selected artwork will be featured on the cover of the Town’s official 2026 holiday card and may also be displayed in Town facilities and used in Town marketing and communications.
The Town expects to produce approximately 200 cards for distribution to community partners, neighboring communities and other recipients. The selected student will be recognized at a Town Council meeting in November or December and will receive a set of printed cards and a $100 gift card. Blank cards featuring the selected artwork will also be made available for sale during the holiday season at local recreation facilities including the Miller Activity Complex, the Castle Rock Community Recreation Center and Cantril School.
The contest accepts all artistic media and styles, including digital artwork. Submissions must be original, distinctive in design, color or subject matter, and appropriate for public viewing by audiences of all ages. Because the selected artwork will be reproduced on a printed 5-by-7-inch card, it should also remain visually effective when resized. The Commission may consider how well each submission responds to the contest theme and communicates the student’s connection to Castle Rock. Other considerations may include originality, creativity, visual impact, suitability for audiences of all ages and adaptability to the holiday card format.
The Commission’s role is to select one winning artwork. Following the selection, staff will confirm the student’s eligibility and contact the student’s parent or legal guardian to complete the required reproduction and copyright permissions.
Proposed Motion
“I move to select [artwork title or description] as the winning artwork for the 2026 Town of Castle Rock Holiday Card Art Contest and authorize staff to proceed with final eligibility verification, required parent or guardian permissions, card production, recognition and related use of the artwork.”