Submit Your Work
Rules for the Year of the Horse Zodiac Painting Competition
- Submission Requirements: Original work on the theme of "Horse," in any medium (including a dedicated AI Group).
- Eligible Participants: Youth aged 4 to 18 years old.
- Size Range: 14 x 17 to 20 x 30 inches.
- Registration Method: Online registration or registration and payment (of $20) through the participant's school.
- Judging Period: Commencing on January 8, 2026, and concluding on January 25, 2026.
- Award Ceremony: Time and location will be announced in subsequent notices. Please stay tuned.
- Awards: More detailed grouping than previous years, with richer awards and prizes. We encourage the active participation of all young people.
Number of Winners per Group
| Group | Age | First Prize | Second Prize | Third Prize | Excellence Award |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Group | 4-7 years old | 1 | 2 | 3 | 30 |
| 8-12 years old | 1 | 2 | 3 | 30 | |
| 13-15 years old | 1 | 2 | 3 | 30 | |
| 16-18 years old | 1 | 2 | 3 | 30 | |
| Amateur Group | 4-12 years old | 1 | 2 | 3 | 30 |
| 13-18 years old | 1 | 2 | 3 | 30 | |
| AI Group | 18 years old and under | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Prize Settings
| Prize Name | Content |
|---|---|
| First Prize | Trophy + $100 |
| Second Prize | Medal |
| Third Prize | Medal |
| Excellence Award | Commemorative Gift |
Work Authorization Terms / Requirements
Work Authorization Terms
The participant grants the Ottawa Chinese School Charity Foundation (OCLS) full authorization for the submitted work—the Foundation may display, use, market, publish, design, and produce merchandise and printed materials based on the submitted work. The participant guarantees that the submitted work is an original personal creation. The participant accepts the requirements and competition rules set by the Ottawa Chinese School Charity Foundation (OCLS) for the submitted work. The Ottawa Chinese School Charity Foundation (OCLS) Organizing Committee reserves the right to the final interpretation of this competition.
Entry Submission Conditions
The work must be the author's original creation; plagiarism or ghostwriting will result in immediate disqualification. The work's theme must be closely related to the competition's theme. For online submission, the work must be photographed as a high-definition image.
E-transfer / Online Payment
E-transfer
Please transfer the $20 CAD registration fee to the account below. Please indicate your Name and Email in the notes. Payment is required for eligibility.
E-transfer
office@ocls-ottawa.ca
Online Payment
Invitation Letter
Dear Principals and Teachers:
The 3rd Zodiac Painting Competition (Year of the Horse) is about to begin. Building on the foundation of the previous two editions, this year sees improvements and enhancements across all aspects. The Organizing Committee hopes to elevate this competition as a traditional project for promoting Chinese culture and art. The Zodiac Painting Competition conveys not only art appreciation but also the profound meaning and connotation of traditional Chinese culture. At the same time, we hope to provide a platform for various art schools (and classes) to showcase their achievements. Thank you for your support and participation!
To make this year's competition more organized and effective, the Organizing Committee has decided to invite Chinese schools and art schools (classes) to join as Partner Organizations to jointly promote this event.
The 3rd Zodiac Painting Competition (Year of the Horse) is about to begin. Building on the foundation of the previous two editions, this year sees improvements and enhancements across all aspects. The Organizing Committee hopes to elevate this competition as a traditional project for promoting Chinese culture and art. The Zodiac Painting Competition conveys not only art appreciation but also the profound meaning and connotation of traditional Chinese culture. At the same time, we hope to provide a platform for various art schools (and classes) to showcase their achievements. Thank you for your support and participation!
To make this year's competition more organized and effective, the Organizing Committee has decided to invite Chinese schools and art schools (classes) to join as Partner Organizations to jointly promote this event.
Partnership Content
1. Promotion & Organization: Partner schools/institutions will assist in promotion using posters and social media posts, and organize students to actively register and submit works.
2. Collection of Works: Partner schools/institutions will be responsible for collecting and registering works (using a unified form) and collecting registration fees.
3. Submission of Works: After collection and registration are complete, verify student ID numbers (provided by the Committee) and ensure personal information is correct. Submit to the Committee at the unified time. Additionally, all works must be photographed by the artist and uploaded to the Committee's website.
4. Selection Process: Divided into Preliminary and Final rounds.
Preliminary: Step 1: Online preliminary selection to screen top 50% of works based on scores. Step 2: Preliminary judges (drawn from 5 professional teachers from partner units) will select top 10% from the remaining works. 60% of works passing the preliminary round go to Final Review Judges (three renowned local artists) to select 1st, 2nd, 3rd Prizes, Excellence Awards, and Rising Star Awards (50% winning rate). All participants will receive a certificate.
5. Awards Ceremony: Schools are requested to organize students to attend the awards ceremony and view the on-site exhibition. The ceremony also serves as a platform for teachers and students from Ottawa's art community to network, exchange ideas, and learn.
6. Partnership Benefits: Partner units will be promoted in social media posts, on the website (where all past entries and partners are listed), in video promotions, and during the awards ceremony.
2. Collection of Works: Partner schools/institutions will be responsible for collecting and registering works (using a unified form) and collecting registration fees.
3. Submission of Works: After collection and registration are complete, verify student ID numbers (provided by the Committee) and ensure personal information is correct. Submit to the Committee at the unified time. Additionally, all works must be photographed by the artist and uploaded to the Committee's website.
4. Selection Process: Divided into Preliminary and Final rounds.
Preliminary: Step 1: Online preliminary selection to screen top 50% of works based on scores. Step 2: Preliminary judges (drawn from 5 professional teachers from partner units) will select top 10% from the remaining works. 60% of works passing the preliminary round go to Final Review Judges (three renowned local artists) to select 1st, 2nd, 3rd Prizes, Excellence Awards, and Rising Star Awards (50% winning rate). All participants will receive a certificate.
5. Awards Ceremony: Schools are requested to organize students to attend the awards ceremony and view the on-site exhibition. The ceremony also serves as a platform for teachers and students from Ottawa's art community to network, exchange ideas, and learn.
6. Partnership Benefits: Partner units will be promoted in social media posts, on the website (where all past entries and partners are listed), in video promotions, and during the awards ceremony.
Why Participate in the Ottawa Youth Zodiac Painting Competition?
1. Express Yourself: "Art is the washing of the dust of daily life off our souls." — Picasso
Picasso once said, "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." This Zodiac Painting Competition is an opportunity to rediscover your original intention, showcase innocence, and express yourself. Let the vividness in your heart bloom on paper and treat the creative process as a cleansing of the soul.
2. Unleash Imagination, Resonate with Van Gogh
Van Gogh said, "I dream my painting and I paint my dream." This is a journey of boundless imagination—with an open theme and unrestrained creativity, you can depict the Year of the Snake (or Horse) in your heart on canvas. Let your painting be as brilliant and unique as Van Gogh's starry night, like a dream, turning the whimsy in your mind into reality.
3. Showcase Talent: "Life is the source of art." — Da Vinci
Da Vinci taught us: "We can observe all things in nature and draw inspiration from them." In this zodiac year symbolizing wisdom and agility, use your observation of life and your brush to interpret the New Year in your eyes. Condense your blessings and vision into a work of art, allowing your talent to shine brightly on this stage.
4. Hone Skills, Share & Interact with Art Lovers
Cézanne said, "Great art is always shared with others." Participating in the competition is not just a process of self-expression, but also an opportunity to communicate and progress with teachers and friends. Share creativity and exchange techniques with many students who love art, gain a sense of accomplishment, and spend an artistic New Year together!
5. Let Works Carry Blessings: A Tribute to Yeats
As the sentiment goes, "Do not just plant beautiful seeds in your heart, let them bloom." Let your painting become a warm blessing, conveying your wishes through colorful works. Regardless of size, your work can become a shared beauty for the New Year. Let your art, like a blessing, carry warmth to all directions.
Previous Winners (2025 2nd Edition - Year of the Snake)
Good & Evil · Karma
Title: Good & Evil · Karma
Artist: Xinyue Zhang
Group D First Prize
Group D: Grade 10—12
Talent Color Art School
Artist: Xinyue Zhang
Group D First Prize
Group D: Grade 10—12
Talent Color Art School
Critique
A snake slowly approaches the girl before the Buddha, as if the Buddha is protecting her. The concept is unique, and the image holds a mysterious atmosphere reminiscent of Miyazaki's animations, making the viewer curious about the story that follows.
2025 Pillar of Strength, Serpent of Light
Title: 2025 Pillar of Strength, Serpent of Light
Artist: Lisa Fan
Group C First Prize
Group C: Grade 7—9
Talent Color Art School
Artist: Lisa Fan
Group C First Prize
Group C: Grade 7—9
Talent Color Art School
Critique
The picture has the time-travel feel of a Jin Yong martial arts drama. The visual impact is very strong, seeming to radiate divine light. The concept and perspective are unique, and the technique is excellent.
Golden Snake Bearing Auspiciousness
Title: Golden Snake Bearing Auspiciousness
Artist: Avery Kwan
Group B First Prize
Group B: Grade 4—6
Lufeng Art Studio
Artist: Avery Kwan
Group B First Prize
Group B: Grade 4—6
Lufeng Art Studio
Critique
Colorful fireworks are blooming in the sky, and a beautiful golden snake sits coiled beneath them, presenting auspiciousness. The golden snake has beautiful gold and red scales. Beside it is a market full of happy people and delicious food: juicy kumquats, sweet candied haws, and soft glutinous rice balls, surrounded by flowers, ingots, lanterns, and red envelopes. Friends and family are wearing beautiful traditional clothes, talking and laughing on the street—a scene of prosperity and happiness.
Snake Shines in the Starry Sky
Title: Snake Shines in the Starry Sky
Artist: Mia Li
Group A First Prize
Group A: JK--Grade 3
Tian Tian Art Class
Artist: Mia Li
Group A First Prize
Group A: JK--Grade 3
Tian Tian Art Class
Critique
This realistic style has strong visual impact. The use of color is excellent, with sharp contrast between warm and cool tones. The composition is nearly perfect. The young artist possesses technical ability beyond their years, though the picture lacks some of the innocent imagination typical of children. We look forward to the child expressing themselves from the heart in the future.
2025 2nd Ottawa Youth Chinese Zodiac Painting Competition