Learning Texas Through Art – Our Journey with the “I Am Texas” Contest

Learning Texas Through Art – Our Journey with the “I Am Texas” Contest

I Am Texas is now an Annual Competition that launched after 1,000 kids made history together in 2022 by breaking the Guinness World Record for the Largest Published Book in the World (by kids)! We encourage kids to share their Texas story through writing and art. Help us spread the mission of The Bryan Museum by giving students opportunities to build confidence, use their voice, and preserve our Texas history by bringing it to life for the next generation. by excerpt https://iamtx.org/​

What is it?
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“I Am Texas” is a student art competition that invites young artists to explore and express what Texas means to them. Through drawing, painting, and mixed media, students create original 2D artwork based on personal connections, cultural symbols, and historical inspirations related to Texas.

https://iamtx.org/

Age Groups & Size Guidelines:
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• Grades 2–5: 8”x10” to 11”x14” (2D only)
• Grades 6–8 & 9–12: 11”x14” to 18”x24” (2D artwork, including digital)

A heartfelt reflection on preparing for the “I Am Texas” art contest and how it helped students explore history, culture, and identity through creativity.

Themes students can explore:
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• Texas landscapes and wildlife
• History and heritage (e.g., independence, symbols, architecture)
• Daily life in Texas or Texas-inspired imagination
• Personal or family connection to the state
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Why it matters:
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The contest not only celebrates art but also encourages students to explore Texas history and culture in a personal, meaningful way.
For out-of-state students, it becomes a valuable educational and creative experience to learn about another region of the U.S.

I made this drawing because I wanted to show all the things I think about when I hear “Texas.”
I drew a cactus, a star, a horse, and words like “Texas” and “Wild West Show.”
Some things are from my imagination and some I’ve seen in books.
To me, “I Am Texas” means I can be fun, wild, and brave—just like Texas!

Learning Texas Through Art – Our Journey with the “I Am Texas” Contest

This year, I had the joy of preparing for a very special art contest with my students: the “I Am Texas” Art Contest.

Originally created for students living in Texas, this contest celebrates the history, culture, and spirit of the Lone Star State through student artwork.
But what made it even more meaningful for us is that the organizers graciously opened submissions to students from other states too.
Even though we are based in New York, many of our students have a genuine love and fascination for Texas—its landscapes, symbols, animals, and stories.

I personally hope a New York version of this contest will one day exist.

Until then, preparing for “I Am Texas” gave us an amazing opportunity to experience another state’s history and culture in a hands-on, imaginative way.

More Than a Contest – A Creative Classroom Adventure

While working on their artwork, students didn’t just draw—they asked questions, researched, read, and shared stories.

One student painted the Texas Declaration of Independence as an aged document filled with hidden history.

Another imagined a breakfast table full of Texas flavors—eggs, bacon, and grapefruit, alongside the state flag and local flowers.
Others illustrated Texas longhorns, cowboy boots, bluebonnets, desert plants, oil pumps, and even famous Texas sayings like “Howdy, y’all!”
Through art, students connected visuals with ideas. Each element they chose led them to learn more about Texas—from why the bluebonnet is the state flower to what armadillos represent.
Art became a bridge--connecting curiosity to discovery, creativity to knowledge.

A Heartfelt Thank You to the Organizers

We are especially grateful to the contest organizers for allowing out-of-state submissions.
That one simple “yes” created such a meaningful experience for us.
It reminded us that what matters most in education isn't always the rules or borders—it’s the passion to learn and the courage to express.
So thank you. Your open-mindedness gave our students the chance to tell their version of what “I Am Texas” means—and that’s a gift they won’t forget.

Why Art Contests Matter So Much

Every time I help students prepare for an art contest, I’m reminded that art isn’t just about “how well you draw.”
Art is how children explore who they are.
It’s how they imagine the world, how they ask questions, and how they try to understand the past and present.
“I Am Texas” wasn’t just a theme. It was a way for students to say,
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“This is what I see. This is what I love. This is how I connect.”

Whether we live in Texas, New York, or anywhere in between, we all have something to learn from one another.
Art is one of the best ways to begin.