Looking at my students’ artwork always brings me great joy. Their pure perspectives and emotions are revealed so honestly on paper. These days, we often hear people say that with the rise of artificial intelligence, human creativity will shrink, and the younger generation will face a harder life. But I do not believe that is true. Such worries stem from not understanding the invisible energy and value that art carries.

Think of the moment when you see a baby smile and find yourself smiling back. It is not only because of the shape of the face but because of the warmth and energy that flows from it. No matter how advanced AI becomes, I doubt it could ever transmit that same feeling with complete authenticity. The same is true for painting. Every artwork holds its own unique energy. The emotions and intentions of the artist shine through without disguise. That is why I love art: it never lies, and it never betrays me.

Art is like a star glowing alone in a pitch-dark night sky, casting light on a directionless world. When I see the artwork of children, that star seems even brighter. A drawing made with a child’s pure heart has undeniable value because it contains the unique energy of that age. It is a trace of time that will never return, and for that reason alone, it deserves preservation.

Especially when children paint with the intention of protecting and loving nature, I believe their hearts themselves become art. Their sincerity, unpolished and free of artificiality, shines through their brushstrokes. When I see a piece with the words “Save The Frogs” written across it, I feel more than just a creative expression—I feel the pure will to respect life and care for the environment. That kind of truth cannot be replicated by an AI-generated image, no matter how beautiful it may appear.
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This is why I treasure children’s artwork so deeply. It contains not just technique or visual appeal but pure honesty and life energy. These works are like little lights that brighten our future. They remind us of values worth protecting and prove that genuine creativity will always have a place in the human spirit.

This year, we have once again begun preparing for the Save the Frogs! Art Contest in our class. This global competition focuses on amphibian conservation, offering students a meaningful opportunity to combine art with environmental awareness. We have been participating for three consecutive years, and each year students gain new perspectives on frogs and nature. Through this experience, they learn to appreciate endangered species and express their love for them through art. In particular, drawing frogs directly helps students develop both artistic skill and a deeper respect for nature.
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There are many benefits to preparing for this contest. First, students move beyond practicing drawing techniques to cultivating a genuine concern for environmental issues. Second, they learn how to communicate personal messages through their artwork, which expands their creativity. Third, submitting their work to an international platform builds courage and confidence. Fourth, they gain inspiration and new ideas by viewing other participants’ creations. Fifth, working together in class fosters teamwork and a sense of community. Finally, students come to recognize the beauty and importance of small creatures like frogs, strengthening their resolve to protect the natural world.

While it is true that drawing on the same theme each year can sometimes feel repetitive, this very repetition holds a deeper educational value. By encouraging students to approach the theme of frogs in new and varied ways, we help them discover that creativity often flourishes within constraints. Each year, their skills, perspectives, and experiences have grown, which means the same subject is never truly the same. A frog drawn by a beginner’s hand looks very different from one drawn after years of practice and observation—it becomes richer, more detailed, and more expressive.

Participating consistently in the contest also instills important qualities such as patience, discipline, and perseverance. Students learn that true mastery comes not from moving quickly from one topic to another, but from returning to a subject again and again, each time uncovering something new. This process mirrors scientific research and artistic practice alike, where repetition and long-term focus lead to genuine breakthroughs.

Furthermore, by taking part year after year, students become part of a larger, global community of young artists and environmental advocates. They see themselves contributing to a shared mission to protect frogs and other endangered species, and this sense of belonging strengthens their commitment. Repeated participation also creates a record of growth; when students look back at their earlier entries, they can see how far they have come, both as artists and as individuals.
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In this way, what may appear at first as monotony becomes a powerful tool for growth. The continuity of the contest challenges students to refine their skills, deepen their ideas, and expand their sense of responsibility for the natural world.

Save the Frogs! Art Contest — Link & Overview

You can find full details and submit entries via the official Save the Frogs! Art Contest page: savethefrogs.com/art 
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Description

The SAVE THE FROGS! Art Contest is an international art competition inviting people of all ages, nationalities, and skill levels to create and submit their coolest frog-themed artwork. The contest raises awareness of the amphibian extinction crisis by engaging the public through art. Winning entries are featured on eco‑friendly merchandise—such as t‑shirts, stickers, posters, and greeting cards—to support amphibian conservation efforts.

The contest is free to enter, open to amateurs and professionals alike. Artists can submit up to three original pieces, which may be hand‑drawn or digitally created, provided they include either the phrase SAVE THE FROGS! or savethefrogs.com visibly in the design.

You can read more about our past experiences and reflections on this competition here:
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👉 Save the Frogs – Anna Koh Blog

My heart breaks as I read the headlines about the devastating flash floods in Texas. According to the New York Times, July 6, 2025 edition, dozens have died and up to 25 girls from a summer camp are still missing. Families have been torn apart in an instant, swept into chaos by nature’s fury. I can’t imagine the fear, grief, and heartbreak the local communities are experiencing right now.

I pray with all my heart that the missing children will be found and reunited with their families. I also offer my deepest condolences to the victims who tragically lost their lives. May they rest in peace, and may their loved ones find strength and comfort in the days ahead.

This story hits close to home for me. In our own neighborhood, a powerful rainstorm once struck without warning. Within just a few hours, a beautiful local pond vanished before our eyes—overwhelmed by flash flooding. The sky opened up and the rain came down so violently, it felt as if the heavens themselves had burst. The memory of that moment—the fear, the helplessness—still lingers. Even now, that pond has not fully recovered.

When I think about the scale of what’s happening in Texas, I can only imagine how terrifying it must be. The uncertainty, the destruction, and the fear of the unknown. Nature’s power can be awe-inspiring, but at times, it is also deeply humbling and devastating.

Let us all keep the people of Texas in our thoughts and prayers. May the rescue efforts be swift and successful, and may the road to recovery be paved with community support, resilience, and hope. And above all, may we work toward a future where communities are better protected from the worsening patterns of extreme weather.

Once, I had my students create artwork on the theme of peace. I simply gave them the topic, but what followed was an outpouring of imagination and hope. The children filled their canvases with symbols—hands hugging the Earth, people of different races holding hands, peace signs, bubble tea, hamburgers, Taipei 101, flags, hearts. Each piece was overflowing with warmth and dreams of a better world.

As I quietly observed their work, I could feel how deeply children long for peace. To adults, their drawings might look playful or whimsical, but inside each image was something far more profound: a silent message that says, “We need peace.” A plea that asks, “Please protect our world.”

War always casts the darkest shadow over children. It's not just the bombs or ruins—it’s the loss of the everyday joys: going to school, playing with friends, eating with family, dreaming freely. We saw this in the war between Ukraine and Russia, and now, once again, new tensions are rising, and the fear of conflict looms.

At times like this, we need to listen more carefully to our children. Their drawings, words, laughter, and even their silences speak volumes. Peace isn’t an abstract ideal—it’s a daily necessity. And someone, somewhere, is always dreaming of it. It’s up to us to receive those dreams with care and work toward leaving a better world for the next generation.

Art moves the heart beyond ideologies and borders. That is why I continue creating with my students and reading the messages hidden in their drawings. The children tell us,
"We want peace, too. We want to live together in harmony."
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And maybe that simple sentence is the greatest truth we must never forget.

Participating in the KidWind National Wind Energy Art Challenge was a wonderful experience. It wasn’t just about making art—it was about learning something meaningful and expressing it creatively. As a parent and educator, I appreciated how the contest encouraged kids to think about clean energy and environmental responsibility while exploring their artistic talents.

The theme of wind energy sparked so many imaginative ideas. My child learned about turbines, sustainability, and how energy affects our planet—all through drawing and creating. The process of brainstorming, sketching, and finalizing the artwork was fun and educational.
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What I loved most was how inclusive and encouraging the contest was. It gave young artists a real purpose behind their work, showing them how art can be a voice for change. I highly recommend this challenge to families and schools looking for meaningful art opportunities that connect with science and environmental awareness.