AUSTIN — AUSTIN—Today, Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. kicked off the 27th Annual Treasures of the Texas Coast Children’s Art Contest, which is facilitated through the Texas General Land Office’s (GLO) Adopt-A-Beach Program. All Texas students, public, private, and homeschooled, in kindergarten through sixth grade are encouraged to send in their masterpieces. Artwork should be based on the theme “Treasures of the Texas Coast” and should depict why the Texas coast is important or special to the student.

“Growing up near the Texas coast and living there for more than a decade, our Texas beaches are very near and dear to my heart. I am excited to see the imagination and creativity of students all throughout the state,” said Commissioner Buckingham.

This year's grand prize winner will receive one 6-8-night Caribbean cruise for two from Royal Caribbean International departing out of Galveston, Miami, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral, or Puerto Rico, two day passes to Six Flags Over Texas or Hurricane Harbor Arlington, and a copy of the book “The Big Beach Cleanup” by Charlotte Offsay.

The grand prize winner's teacher will also receive one 6-8-night Caribbean cruise for two from Royal Caribbean and prizes from Texas Adopt-A-Beach.

All 40 finalists, comprised of 10 winners from each group of K-2nd, 3rd-4th, 5th, and 6th grades, will receive one free ticket to Schlittterbahn, one free ticket to visit the USS Lexington, a coupon to visit the Texas State Aquarium, prizes from Texas Parks and Wildlife, prizes from Texas Adopt-A-Beach, a certificate of recognition from the Texas General Land Office, and copies of the 2024 calendar displaying the winning artwork.

All entries must be postmarked by Wednesday, March 1, 2023, and mailed to the Texas General Land Office at:

Texas General Land Office
Adopt-A-Beach Program: Children’s Art Contest 2023
P.O. Box 12873
Austin, Texas 78711-2873

For more information, guidelines, and an entry form for the art contest, visit TexasAdoptABeach.org