AUSTIN — Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush announced the 23rd Annual Adopt-A-Beach "Treasures of the Texas Coast" Children's Art Contest. The deadline to submit artwork is Friday, March 1st, 2019. Artwork should be based on the theme “Treasures of the Texas Coast” and should depict why the Texas coast is important or special to Texas students.
 
“The Texas coast is critical to our environment and ecosystem,” said Commissioner Bush. “The ‘Treasures of the Texas coast’ children’s art contest is a fun and educational opportunity for kids across the Lone Star State to learn about the coast and demonstrate their creative abilities. As a father and former teacher, I encourage young Texans, from kindergarten to sixth grade, to pick up their favorite art supplies and use their imaginations as they express appreciation for our coast's natural beauty and wildlife.” 
 
Commissioner Bush will select the grand prize winner. This year's grand prize winner will receive two round-trip coach-class tickets from United Airlines to any United destination in the 48 contiguous United States, Alaska, Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean, one 7-night Caribbean cruise from Royal Caribbean International departing out of Galveston, Miami, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral or Puerto Rico, and a class party at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels.
 
The grand prize winner's teacher will also receive two round-trip coach-class tickets from United Airlines, and one 7-night Caribbean cruise courtesy of Royal Caribbean International.

All 40 winners will receive a ticket to the USS Lexington in Corpus Christi, a ticket to the Texas State Aquarium, two tickets to the Houston Zoo, two all day passes to Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, prizes and a certificate of recognition from the Texas General Land Office and a calendar displaying the winning artwork.

Winning artwork will appear together in a 2020 calendar, which will be distributed across the state. The Adopt-A-Beach "Treasures of the Texas Coast" Children's Art Contest began in 1996 to mark the 10th anniversary of the Adopt-A-Beach Program. The annual competition encourages Texas schoolchildren to learn more about the Texas coast and express what they've learned through their art.
 
Open to students in grades K-6 across Texas, the contest motivates thousands of young artists each year.  Only one entry per student is allowed, and all entries must have a completed parental release form taped to the back. Parental release forms may be printed from the Land Office website located at TexasAdoptABeach.org. Each contest entry must be postmarked by Friday, March 1st, 2019. Late submissions will not be accepted.
 
Original artwork must be displayed on a plain sheet of white 8 ½-inches by 11-inch paper. The size should not include a mat or border. Entries may not be framed, under glass, or have a protective covering that is attached to the art. Three-dimensional art or artwork displaying logos, product brands and/or store names will be deemed ineligible. Artwork containing collages, computer printouts, photography, or photocopies are not eligible. Nothing may be glued, stapled or attached to the front of the artwork in any way. Students are encouraged to color copy their artwork prior to submission- all artwork becomes property of the Texas General Land Office and cannot be returned. This year's contest sponsors are Royal Caribbean International, United Airlines, Schlitterbahn Waterparks, the USS Lexington and the Texas State Aquarium.
 
For more information and contest guidelines on the "Treasures of the Texas Coast" 2019 Children's Art Contest, please contact the General Land Office at 1-877-TXCOAST or visit our website at TexasAdoptABeach.org. Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TexasAdoptABeach or follow us on Twitter @TXAdoptABeach. 

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