Competition Details
Newberry College invites student artists across Newberry County to design a mural that celebrates strength, movement, and community.
The mural competition gives elementary, middle, and high school students the opportunity to create artwork for a featured mural inside the Newberry College Fitness Center.
Students may enter individually or in teams and submit original artwork inspired by the theme “Strength in Community.”
The winning artwork will be transformed into a permanent mural installation on campus.
Hosted By
Newberry College and Newberry County School District
Theme
Strength in Community
Submissions Open
August 15
Deadline
October 10
Sponsorship Opportunities
Contribute to the mural competition through the following sponsorship opportunities. Visit https://www.newberry.edu/giving/givenow and designate your gift to "Mural Competition" and reference the corresponding sponsorship level.
• Name listed on event signage
• Social media recognition
• Logo placement on promotional materials
• Recognition during unveiling ceremony
• Premium logo placement
• Recognition in press release
• Invitation to unveiling event
• Opportunity to present award to winning artist
Competition Rules
Students currently enrolled in:
- Newberry County elementary schools
- Newberry County middle schools
- Newberry County high schools
- Homeschool students residing in Newberry County
Age Divisions
- Elementary School Division (Grades K–5)
- Middle School Division (Grades 6–8)
- High School Division (Grades 9–12)
Team Entries
- Students may enter individually or in teams
- One faculty sponsor/teacher must be listed for school-based entries
Entry Limit
- One submission per student/team
- Original artwork only
- Include artist statement (150–300 words)
- Submit a digital JPG or PDF file at 300 DPI
- One submission per student/team
Artwork should reflect:
- Health and wellness
- Fitness and movement
- Teamwork and perseverance
- Diversity and inclusion
- School spirit and community pride
- Positive energy and motivation
- The connection between mind, body, and education
Students may incorporate:
- Wolves/wolf imagery
- Athletic movement
- Abstract motion and energy
- Local landmarks or scenery
- Inspirational typography
- Student life and achievement
- Fitness and recreation themes
Restrictions
Artwork may NOT include:
- Political messaging
- Copyrighted characters/logos
- Commercial branding
- Offensive language or imagery
- AI-generated artwork without substantial original artistic modification
Students submit:
- A scaled design concept
- Digital or physical artwork
- Artist statement (150–300 words)
Accepted Mediums for Design Submission
- Pencil
- Marker
- Acrylic
- Watercolor
- Digital illustration
- Mixed media
- Colored pencil
- Collage
Final Production Medium
The final mural will be painted on cinderblock using:
- Acrylic mural paint
- Interior wall-safe coatings
- Protective sealant
• Launch: August 15
• Deadline: October 10
• Finalists Announced: October 20
• Winner Announced: November 1
• Creativity & Originality – 30%
• Alignment with Theme – 25%
• Visual Impact – 20%
• Feasibility – 15%
• Artist Statement – 10%