With its recent Earth Week Chalk Challenge, Water Rocks asked Iowans to express themselves through creating images that delved deeper into the topics of unseen nature, biodiversity and their own special kinship with natural resources. The contest coincided with Earth Week and drew entrants young and old — including individuals, numerous schools, clubs, classrooms and organizations.

“We didn’t want to thwart any creativity or desires to create beautiful pictures, but this year we introduced three core themes, looking to inspire artists to reflect on how they relate to and perceive the natural world surrounding us all,” says Ann Staudt, Water Rocks director. “We were delighted with the wide range of entries and the obvious thought that went into the artwork submitted in each category.”

WETLAND DIVERSITY: The drawing by Karen Hanson of Cresco, Iowa, for the “Iowa’s wetland diversity” category, depicts a wetland scene complete with numerous waterfowl species, a beaver, frog and turtle, and a variety of plants ranging from water grasses to riparian forest. Karen is an ISU alumnus who has had a lifelong affinity for art and nature. Her drawing was also selected as the People’s Choice winner through public voting on the Water Rocks Facebook page.

The themes for the contest were:

1. Billions of interesting things underground
2. Iowa’s wetland diversity
3. My/Our favorite natural resource is …

Multiple entries were received in each category, and winning artists were selected by a panel of judges. Entries were also posted online for People’s Choice voting.

Drawings in 3 categories

The drawing taking the prize for most creative entry in the “Billions of interesting things underground” category came from the 4G class led by Stacey Snyder, an English Language Proficiency teacher at Orange Elementary in Waterloo, Iowa. Depicting plants and trees aboveground, the drawing highlights the roots, organisms and geologic structures that exist out of view. The judges were especially impressed with the group’s efforts to colorfully and creatively illustrate the diversity of organisms in the soil under our feet, from the creepy-crawly to the microscopic.

The drawing submitted by Karen Hanson of Cresco, Iowa, for the “Iowa’s wetland diversity” category, is a rendering of a wetland scene complete with numerous waterfowl species, a beaver, frog and turtle, and a variety of plants ranging from water grasses to riparian forest. Karen is an ISU alumnus who has had a lifelong affinity for art and nature. She often visits nearby Cardinal Marsh State Wildlife Area on Turkey Creek, and found inspiration for her drawing in the wildlife she has seen there. Karen’s drawing was also selected as the People’s Choice winner through public voting on the Water Rocks Facebook page. She is delighted with the recognition of her work and hopes the image brings forth the diversity of wildlife living in and migrating through eastern Iowa.

In the “My/Our favorite natural resource is …” category, the drawing produced by Fisher Woodley’s fourth-grade class at Bess Streeter Aldrich Elementary in Cedar Falls, Iowa, was selected as the creative winner. The drawing incorporates a collection of water, plants, trees and wildlife that can be found throughout Iowa and the world. Titled “We Love Earth!,” the drawing highlights the importance of water as a natural resource used by everyone and every living thing. Woodley engaged his students in an Earth Day program that included research and discussion of favorite natural resources, culminating in their decision to show as many as they could to celebrate all the amazing natural resources that they could think of. He also reported that his students truly enjoyed celebrating Earth Day outside and thinking of all the great parts of the outdoors that make Iowa a great place to live. They were excited to learn their hard work paid off in being selected the winning entry.

LIFE UNDERGROUND: The drawing by the 4G class led by Stacey Snyder, an English Language Proficiency teacher at Orange Elementary in Waterloo, Iowa, took the prize for most creative entry in the “Billions of interesting things underground” category. The drawing depicts plants and trees aboveground, highlighting the roots, organisms and geologic structures that exist out of view.

“Water Rocks was fortunate to partner with the Soil and Water Conservation Society and Artworks Studio in Carroll, Iowa, to produce the contest, and the panel was challenged to choose winners from among the many wonderful images submitted,” Staudt continues. “All of the artworks reflected the special natural ecosystems of Iowa from unique perspectives. The contest was a resounding success, and we look forward to continuing to integrate opportunities for public art in our Water Rocks programming and outreach.”

To view all the winning drawings, visit the Water Rocks Facebook page.

Pierce is an Extension program specialist with a focus on water quality with Iowa Learning Farms and Water Rocks.