The Capital Canvas

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The Capital Canvas
The Capital Canvas
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The Capital Canvas is our district’s new way of turning student creativity into a permanent part of our community’s story. This recurring art series invites students from across the district to share their unique perspectives, with the goal of filling our District Office and public spaces with high-quality, student-led masterpieces. By participating, students help us build a collection of Capital-created art that celebrates our school spirit and showcases the incredible artistic talent growing in our classrooms every day.


Inaugural Challenge: Senator Sam's Next Chapter

Our first challenge invites students from all grade levels to tell a story starring our district mascot. This mission for this series is to design a Book Cover featuring Senator Sam. Whether he is on an epic adventure, solving a mystery, or visiting a far-off land, we want to see your vision of his next great story.

 

Submission Guidelines

Key Dates
Start Date: Monday, March 30, 2026
Submission Deadline: Wednesday, April 22, 2026

How to Submit:
Option 1: Email Submission
Send high-resolution image of artwork to [email protected] with the subject line: Senator Sam's Next Chapter

Option 2: Physical Drop-Off
Deliver artwork to:
Capital School District Office
Attn: Public Relations Department, Jessalynn Kenton-Johnson

What to Include with Every Submission:

  • Student first and last name
  • Grade
  • School
  • Teacher name
  • Medium Used

Digital File Guidance 

  • Preferred formats: JPG, PNG, or PDF
    • HEIC will not be accepted
  • High-resolution files are strongly recommended for printing and display

Important Notes

  • Submissions must be original, student-created, and school-appropriate.
  • Senator Sam must be featured prominently.
  • Entries that include copyrighted characters, traced images, or non-original content may not be eligible for display or awards.

Grade Level Instructions and Materials

Elementary School (Grades K-5)

Use the official Senator Sam coloring page to create your own Book Cover! Color Senator Sam and hand-draw a full-page background that shows where his story takes place. Don't forget to give your book a title!
Materials: Download the Official Senator Sam Coloring Page HERE


Middle School (Grades 6-8)
Design an original book cover from scratch. Your entry must include Senator Sam, an original title, and a background that suggests the plot. 


High School (Grades 9-12)
Create an original book cover featuring your stylized interpretation of Senator Sam, grounded in a specific artistic movement or theme. Include a bold, unique title and a background that sets a distinct mood. Demonstrate intentional composition and lighting, with a polished, professional finish.

Approved Mediums (Middle & High School)
Students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to use the tools that best tell their story. Approved mediums include:
Traditional 2D: Watercolor, acrylic paint, colored pencils, charcoal, or pastels
Ink and Line Work: Fine-line markers, calligraphy, or classic comic book inking
Digital Art: Artwork created on tablets or computers using illustration software (e.g. Procreate, Photoshop, Canva, Adobe Illustrator, etc.)

Important Note on AI (Artificial Intelligence)

To ensure the integrity of the competition and the celebration of student skill, artwork generated or significantly altered by Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not eligible for awards or display. All submissions must the original work of the student, created through traditional or digital hand-drawing techniques.

Exhibition, Prizes, and Recognition

Exhibition
All submitted artwork will be featured in a district exhibition at the Capital School District Office. Entries will be displayed in the District Office hallways or other designated district spaces, creating a showcase of student creativity and Senator Pride.

Prizes
First place winners for the Elementary, Middle, and High School categories will be enlarged and displayed in the Capital School District Office Lobby for up to one year.

Recognition
All submissions will be recognized with a Certificate of Achievement, presented by the Public Relations Department and the Capital School District Board of Education at the May 2026 Board Meeting. Artwork will be on display, and first-place winners will be unveiled. 

Artwork Use and Display Disclaimer
By submitting artwork to the Capital Canvas, the student and parent or guardian acknowledge and agree to the following:
1. Permission to Use Student Artwork The Capital School District may photograph, scan, reproduce, publish, and display submitted artwork for district-related purposes. This may include, but is not limited to, district websites, social media, newsletters, presentations, printed promotional materials, and other marketing or informational communications.
2. Display and Exhibition Submitted artwork may be displayed in the Capital School District Office and at other district events or locations. The first-place artwork will be enlarged and displayed in the District Office lobby for up to one year. All other submitted artwork may be displayed in the District Office hallways or other approved district spaces for a designated exhibition period.
3. No Compensation Students will not receive compensation for the use of submitted artwork. Artwork may be returned if requested, but the district may retain digital copies for communication purposes.
4. Student Information To protect student privacy, the district will not publish personal student contact information. When artwork is shared publicly, the district may identify the student by name, grade, and school unless the parent or guardian requests otherwise in writing. 5. Original Work Requirement Submitted artwork must be original, student-created, and school appropriate. Submissions should not include copyrighted characters, traced images, or non-original content.










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