The VFW Auxiliary works to teach our nation’s youth the skills to become responsible adults through serving our country, communities, veterans and service members.  We engage youth in positive volunteer experiences and believe every young person can find a place to serve that will improve their lives, as well as the lives they touch.

VFW Auxiliary 2995 promotes and conducts the Illustrating America Art Contest.

This is a patriotic art contest for elementary and middle/junior high school students that encourages students’ artistic abilities and rewards their hard work.  It’s fun to see how our youth see the world through their drawings and paintings.

The contest consists of three grade divisions: K-2, 3-5 and 6-8.  There are National awards for first, second and third place in each grade division.  See current National first-place winners in each grade division.

VFW Auxiliary 2995 will award the following scholarship amounts:

To participate in VFW Auxiliary 2995 Illustrating Art contest, download an application

Submissions are due by 15 Dec 2026.

For more information, email the VFW Auxiliary 2995’s Illustrating America Art Chair

Contest Eligibility

*Students do not have to be related to a VFW or a VFW Auxiliary member to enter

*Students in grades K-8 by December 15 deadline who are enrolled in a public, private, parochial or home school program in the United States, its territories and possessions, or dependents of U.S. military or civilian personnel in overseas schools.

*Although U.S. citizenship is not required, students must be lawful U.S. permanent residents or have applied for permanent resident (the application for which has not been denied) and intends to become a U.S. citizen.

*Foreign exchange students are not eligible.

*Previous winners of VFW Auxiliary Illustrating America Art Contests on the National level are not eligible for the same grade division of which they are a previous national winner.  However, the students may enter the subsequent grade division.

Contest Rules

*Entry must be original and created by the student, copying and tracing existing works is prohibited.

*Entry must be completed during the current school year.

*Entry must be two-dimensional art that has length, width and is flat.

*Entry must be on canvas or paper.

*Canvas entries must be submitted on a stretcher frame or canvas board.

*Paper entries must be reinforced with heavy paper, cardboard or foamboard.

*Do not frame art with wood, metal, plastic or glass.

*Mats may be used, including mounted and floating mats.

*Entries may not be smaller than 8”x10” and not larger than 18”x24” including mat.

*Crayons, paint, glitter, marker, pastel, pencil, watercolor, mixed or other media may be used.

*Coloring sheets, digital art, AI and photography are not accepted.

*If the American Flag is displayed in a manner that clearly identifies it as such, it does not need to adhere to the Federal Flag Code specifications regarding its colors and number of stars and stripes.

*Students’ name, age and grade level must be printed on back of art entry.

*Completed typed or printed legible entry form including parent and/or guardian signatures.

VFW Auxiliary National reserves the right to modify these rules and eligibility without notice

VFW Auxiliary 2995 1st place winners for 2026

K to 2nd - 1st Place - Max BYUN - The Liberty of America

3rd to 5th - 1st Place - Victoria DONG - Little Salute, Big Respect

6th to 8th - 1st Place - Joshua LEE - Remembering Yesterday