Events at Dinosaur State Park

2024 Dinosaur State Park Art Contest

Dinosaur State Park, in partnership with the Friends of Dinosaur State Park and Arboretum, is pleased to present our 2024 Dinosaur Art Contest!

Theme: Ancient Connecticut

Be inspired by what life was like in Connecticut millions of years ago. Central Connecticut rocks are rich with fossils left behind by ancient life, like those seen at Dinosaur State Park! Imagine what you may have seen if you had been in Connecticut 200 million years ago when dinosaur footprints were left behind in ancient lakeshores. What animals could you see? What plants were there? What was the environment like?

Draw or paint a scene depicting ancient Connecticut.

We encourage you to visit Dinosaur State Park to learn more about Connecticut in ancient times and get ideas for your artwork!

Competition details:

There will be five divisions for judging: grades K-1, 2-3, 4-5, middle school, and high school.

First-third place in each division will be awarded a commemorative Dinosaur State Park pressed penny. Prizes will also include Dinosaur State Park Museum Shop gift cards. Third place will receive a $10 gift card, second place will receive a $20 gift card, and first place will receive a $25 gift card.

Requirements:

Paintings and drawings must be handmade by K-12 students who reside in Connecticut.

Each student may submit one piece of art.

Artwork should be two-dimensional on paper, cardboard, or canvas and made using art supplies like pencils, pens, paint, or crayons (no birdseed, glitter, pasta, etc.).

Traced images are prohibited. Photos may be used as reference material, but art should not copy references exactly.

Art must be no larger than 11 inches x 17 inches.

How to enter:

Art is to be submitted online. Follow the link to a Google Form that can be used to upload your project: Art Submission Form

Winning art pieces will be displayed at Dinosaur State Park during the month of March, 2024, so do not discard your artwork.

Submissions will be judged by a panel including Dinosaur State Park Director Michael Ross, Professor Tammo Reichgelt from the UConn Department of Earth Sciences, and Professor Lora Lee from the Eastern Connecticut State University Department of Art and Art History.

We look forward to receiving your entries!

For more information please contact deep.dinosaur@ct.gov

Content Updated December 2023