#iCANendthetrend Creative Arts Challenge

#iCANendthetrend wants you to be a part of our prevention efforts against the use of tobacco products. Use your creative and artistic skills to promote vaping prevention across Kentucky through the creation of original artwork. This year’s theme is: Breathe Easy, Be Free, Make Change: How has the use of tobacco products impacted you or someone you know? Elementary through high school-aged students are encouraged to submit artwork that reflects the impact tobacco use has had on themselves or their peers, families, friends, or community. This is your chance to share your voice through creative art and make a difference. The top 3 winners will be chosen from each age group and will receive a monetary prize. All submissions must be completed and submitted by 11:59 pm on March 28th, 2025.

Participating in the #iCANendthetrend Creative Arts Challenge is more than just an opportunity to showcase your artistic talents; it’s a chance to raise awareness about the serious consequences of tobacco use and to inspire change within your community. Tobacco products, including vaping, have devastating effects on health, and your artwork can help spark conversations and educate others about these risks. By sharing your personal experiences and insights through your art, you can empower your peers to make informed choices and advocate for a healthier lifestyle. Every piece of art submitted contributes to a collective message that we can all stand together against tobacco use. Join us in this vital movement—your creativity can be a powerful tool for change!

Art is to be centered around this year's chosen theme: Breathe Easy, Be Free, Make Change: How has the use of tobacco products impacted you or someone you know?

Examples of impact 

• Physical health effects 
• Financial impact 
• Mental health effects
• Secondhand aerosol exposure 
• Environmental/climate change 
• Impact of relationships with family/friends 
• Managing withdrawals 
• Nicotine dependence

Examples of types of art forms (not limited to these listed) 

• Painting 
• Drawing 
• Digital Media 
• Poetry 
• Audio/visual 
• Song/Music 
• Social media posts (TikTok, Instagram, etc.) 
• Collage 
• Podcast (10 minute maximum) 
• Infographic 
• Photovoice 

 Eligibility rules

• Shall have complied with all the requirements outlined in this description
• Shall be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States
• Shall not be an employee of #iCANendthetrend or the University of Kentucky 
• Shall be a student in 4th-12th grade 
• Shall be a student in Kentucky

Rules and requirements

• One submission per participant 
• By participating in this challenge, each participant warrants that they are the sole author or owner of, or has the right to use, any copyrightable works that the submission comprises, that the works are wholly original with the participant (or is an improved version of an existing work that the participant has sufficient rights to use and improve), and that the submission does not infringe any copyright or any other rights of any third party of which the participant is aware.
  • No AI-generated art is permitted. 
• Each participant under 18 years of age at the time of submission MUST have signed permission by a parent or legal guardian to participate in the challenge.
• By participating in this challenge, the participant grants #iCANendthetrend the rights to distribute and display their submission.

Top 3 prizes for each group (Elementary, Middle, and High) 

1st-$250

2nd-$250

3rd-$250 

The #iCANendthetrend team will evaluate and vote on artwork following the rubric listed below: 

Participants will fill out the art challenge submission form found HERE

• After filling out the form digitally, please email your artwork submission to icanendthetrend@uky.edu (please CC jmes225@g.uky.edu). You must include the subject line “ICETT Youth Prevention Art Challenge: Title of your artwork - Age Category: Elementary, Middle, or High School- First initial LastName” 
• Subject line example “ICETT Youth Prevention Art Challenge: Vaping Chemicals and Mental Health, Elementary Age Group - JSmith”
• All submissions must be completed and submitted by 11:59 pm on March 28th, 2025  

A signature must be provided when filling out the art challenge submission form. If the participant is under the age of 18, a parent or guardian signature is required. By providing a signature the participant ensures that: 

• The information herein is accurate, complete, and honest.
• The participant has read and understands How to Enter and the Rules and Requirements.
• The participant is the sole author or owner of, or has the right to use, any copyrightable works that the submission comprises, that the works are wholly original (or are an improved version of an existing work that the participant has sufficient rights to use and improve), and that the submission does not infringe any copyright or any other rights of any third party of which the participant is aware.
• By participating in this challenge, the participant grants #iCANendthetrend the rights to distribute and display their submission.

Submission dates: December - March

Open Date: Dec 6, 2024

Due Date: March 28, 2025

Judging period: March 28, 2025 - April 4, 2025

Winner Announcement: April 30, 2025

• Submissions must be original art, developed for this Challenge, and cannot have been submitted elsewhere. 
• Photos, videos, audio recordings, graphics, original drawings, and paintings or other images are allowed. 
  • Note: Winning entries that include identifiable images of people (e.g., a picture showing their face or other distinctive features) will need to provide a photo release (PDF) from the person/people in the photo prior to the award.
• Artwork may be produced using any medium, including computer software or applications, but the image and text should be clear if the image is printed on an 8 ½″ by 11″ piece of paper. 
• Copyrighted materials are not allowed in any submission unless explicit written permission from the copyright holder is provided at the time of Challenge submission. Proof of the right to use copyrighted material must be included with your email submission (this can be included as another attachment to your email).
• Titles and descriptions must be submitted in English or accompanied by an English translation. 
• If text in a language other than English is included in the artwork itself, an English translation of the text must be provided as a separate document that is attached to your email submission. 
• The artwork file must use the following naming convention: “Title of Artwork (a shortened version is acceptable)_FirstInitialLastName.” 
  • The example file name for artwork: Picturing Better Health for All_WAddams 
• Artwork must be submitted as a PDF, JPEG, PNG, or TIFF file.

Submissions may be disqualified for the following:  

• Plagiarism: Entries may be screened, using a plagiarism software package, to validate the originality of the work
• Falsification of any information submitted 
• The use of vulgar language in the artwork submitted
• Use of copyrighted material without permission 
• Inclusion of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in your art (information that can be used to distinguish or trace an individual's identity, such as your name, social security number, date, place of birth, emails, etc.)

Last Year's 1st Place Winners

Elementary School

“Mario Doesn’t Vape and That’s Why He Is In Good Shape” By Silas Fitz - Boone County

“My name is Silas Fitz. I am 11 years old and am in 5th grade. I really enjoyed doing this project with my Health and Wellness teacher, Mrs. Ryan. I chose Mario to put in my poster because he is a good role model for kids.”

Middle School

“Don’t Let Vaping Steal Your Soul” By Hollie Canterbury - Pike County

“Thank you for choosing me as the winner. I am very blessed. I think vaping is a very serious topic that is not mentioned enough so I was very glad that I got to participate in this art contest. It provided me with a way to express how threatening vaping can be throughout my talents with art.”

High School

“Prevent Vaping” By Samantha Preble -  Pike County

“My goal was to make this art piece positively impactful on others' lives. The chains represent how an addiction can hold you down and affect your mental and physical health deeply. There is faded wording that says “quit now” on the side as well, which shows how addiction can cloud your judgment.”