Young artists in the Spring area can compete for $100 prizes in an art contest celebrating the Barbara Bush Branch Library's 50th anniversary.
The Harris County Public Library contest asks participants ages 7–18 to create original work around the theme "The Library Through My Eyes." Registration opened Monday, Sept. 7, and artwork drop-off runs Monday, Oct. 5, through Oct. 8 at the library, 6817 Cypresswood Drive.
Two age groups will compete: ages 7–12 and ages 13–18. One winner in each group receives a $100 Visa gift card. Winners will be announced Monday, Oct. 19, by email, phone and on the library's social media pages.
Entries can include drawings, paintings, comics, short stories, poetry, digital art, sculpture, knitting, crochet and other 3D work. Performances, videos and diamond art are not eligible.
Two-dimensional pieces must be no larger than 18 by 24 inches, and 3D work must be small enough to display safely in the library. Each participant may submit one entry, and all work must be original. Art generated using artificial intelligence is not allowed.
Winning pieces will be displayed at the library as part of the anniversary celebration.
A library born from community effort
The branch traces its roots to September 1973, when members of the American Association of University Women (AAUW) formed a library committee to push for a public library in Spring. The Cypress Creek Friends of the Library organized two months later, according to the HCPL Digital Archive. Their campaign succeeded: the Cypress Creek Branch Library opened in 1976.
The Friends group later received permission from former First Lady Barbara Bush to rename the branch. The Barbara Bush Branch Library officially opened in December 2002, and Bush attended the ribbon-cutting in 2003, according to HCPL archive records. She held story time at the branch several times over the following decade.
The library is one of 26 branches in the Harris County Public Library system. Branch manager Shane Harris oversees the Cypresswood Drive location.
How to enter
- Who: Artists ages 7–18, in two groups (7–12 and 13–18)
- Theme: "The Library Through My Eyes"
- Register: Registration opened Sept. 7 on the HCPL events page
- Drop-off: Oct. 5–8 at Barbara Bush Branch Library, 6817 Cypresswood Drive, Spring
- Prize: $100 Visa gift card per age group winner
- Contact: 832-927-7800 or [email protected]
Dates to know
- Oct. 5–8: Artwork drop-off at the library
- Oct. 19: Winners announced by email, phone and social media
The library is open Monday through Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
