Student Art Contest - WEA Member Benefits Foundation, Inc.

Annual Student Art Contest

Our 11th Annual Student Art Contest invites Wisconsin public school students in grades K–12 to share their vision of “Belonging.” What does belonging mean to you? Maybe it’s feeling at home with friends, being part of a team, expressing yourself freely, or finding your place in the world.

Having a sense of belonging and being socially connected is critical to both physical and mental health and is foundational to youth well-being. Belonging doesn’t require a mental health professional to create, it grows through everyday moments at home, in schools, and in our communities when we intentionally build connections with others. We want to see how you capture that feeling through your art.

Prizes
Up to ten finalists will win a $500 prize each, and one finalist will be awarded the $1,500 “Best in Class” award named in memory of Loeymae Lange.

Loeymae Lange
The “Best in Class” award is named in memory of Loeymae Lange, who taught art at Cooper Elementary school in Burlington, Wisconsin, for 30 years.
Her brother, Dr. Paul Lange, and his wife June have graciously honored Loeymae’s legacy and love for art by providing this memorial gift to the WEA Member Benefits Foundation, Inc. Read more about Loeymae Lange below.

To learn more, head on over to our corporate page.

About the Loeymae Lange Memorial Best in Class Award

In honor of Loeymae who taught art at Cooper Elementary School in Burlington, Wisconsin for 30 years.

Loeymae was known for her paintings using watercolors, oil, and acrylics, and for her marble sculptures. She won art competitions from California to Paris, and her artwork is on display in homes throughout the United States. Additionally, later in life she became a professional photographer, particularly of clouds.

Loeymae was a strong advocate of the values of arduous work and perseverance. She worked hard to instill these values in her students. She promoted and encouraged her most talented students to participate in art competitions because it built the student’s self-esteem not just as an artist but as a member of our society.

To honor Loeymae’s legacy, her brother Dr. Paul Lange, and his wife June, graciously started an endowment in 2021 to help promote recognition and positive self-esteem for student artists.

“Try, you might succeed. If you don’t try it’s impossible to succeed!” – Loeymae Lange