#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 nicotine education across Kentucky through the creation of original artwork. This year’s theme is: Clear Minds, Bright Futures: How can staying nicotine-free open the door to new possibilities in your life? 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 an #iCANendthetrend swag bag. All submissions must be completed and submitted by 11:59 pm on March 20th, 2026.

Why this Matters: The Impact of Art in the Fight Against Tobacco

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 healthy 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: Clear Minds, Bright Futures: How can staying nicotine-free open the door to new possibilities in your life?

Examples of possibilities (not limited to these listed)

●    Education and academic success 
●    Career and professional growth
●    Family and interpersonal relationships
●    Physical and mental well-being
●    Financial stability and independence

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 art submission.

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

1st-Deluxe Swag bag
2nd-Classic Swag bag
3rd-Standard Swag bag

How is the artwork being scored? 

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

Submission Instructions

Participants will fill out the art challenge submission form found HERE. Please click this link to access the Google Form.

• After filling out the form digitally, please email your artwork submission to icanendthetrend@uky.edu (please CC rbe265@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 20, 2026 

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: January - March

Open Date: Jan 1, 2026 

Due Date: March 20, 2026

Judging period: March 21, 2026 - March 27, 2026

Winner Announcement: April 2026

Artwork Requirements:

• 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.)

2025 Results

High School

1st  Place - “Exhaled Youth” By Sydney - Fayette County

“My artwork is an image of a woman who has smoked away her youth. In the image, you can see a young woman smoking a cigarette, and in this cloud of smoke, you can see her older self. This image helps to raise awareness of the physical effects of smoking and how it can damage your appearance and prematurely age you. It promotes the idea not to smoke away your youth, which is a harmful effect of smoking.”

2nd Place  - “Vaping Chains You Down” By Eric - Fulton County 

“My art shows how vaping can chain you down and cost your life. It cost you your mind, body, soul, and honor. Most of all, your money and your dreams.”

3rd Place - “An Addiction To Die For” By Mackenzie - Fayette County 

The serious addictions that nicotine and tobacco cause are represented by the undead hand, because cravings for vaping and smoking can take you out of the present like a 'zombie'. The physical effects of smoking are also severe and can lead to cancer and death, which is referenced in the title. Addictions aren't 'controllable' or healthy, and it can lead to you pouring more money and time into drugs than important things like being social, enjoying hobbies, and everyday life. You become fixated on consuming more and more, like a zombie. 

Middle School

1st Place - “Don’t Vape You’ll Get Trapped” By Yuno & Emma - Fayette County

“This artwork shows the transition between a vape user's childhood, where they get introduced into vaping, and adulthood, where they are addicted to the vape. By using vibrant colors, we demonstrated how people make vapes look attractive, as seen in the illustrated vape store. Big bulletin boards in the street that urge people to start vaping, and the brain feeling "addicted" and "dependent" on the vape,e were the main focus of the poster.”

2nd Place - “Peer Pressure” By Sofia - Maddison County 

“This piece supports this year's art challenge theme by highlighting the eerie feeling of being peer pressured into something you don't want to do, such as vaping or smoking cigarettes.”

3rd Place - “Two Breaths” By Nathan - Bullitt County 

“You Have Two Choices. Two Breaths, for these could determine the outlook of your future years.” 

Elementary School

1st Place - “Nicotine Project” By Emalyn - Garrard County 

• View video online

2nd Place - “Breath Easy Be Free Make Change” By Kennedy ​​& Marley -  Fayette County 

• View video online

3rd Place - “The Fog of The Lost Souls” By Sierra - Garrard County 

“It describes how other people have suffered the effects from vaping and nicotine products. It also illustrates how people became lost in their destructive habit, and the ripple effects that those choices carry onto their loved ones.”