2025 Novel Expressions Art Contest

Enter our annual art contest

Local teen and adult artists are invited to enter their work for a chance to win a cash prize!

The submission period is Sept. 1-30, and the contest is open to residents of Loudoun County and the jurisdictions listed below.

A gala event will be held Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Franklin Park Arts Center, with a new live judging component.

This contest is presented by Loudoun County Public Library, Loudoun County Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) and the Loudoun Youth Advisory Council.

Theme

Create an original work of art inspired by a specific piece of literature. This can be a novel, short story, poem, song lyrics or any other literary work. The literary connection is required and will be a major part of judging.

Submission Requirements

• Artists may submit one piece of artwork.
• All artistic mediums are accepted.
• The piece must be your own creation — no copies, reproductions or AI-assisted work.
• Entries that have won a monetary award in any other contest are ineligible.
• Include the title and author of the literary work that inspired your piece.
• Artists must live in Loudoun County or any of the following districts:
  • Cities of Falls Church, Alexandria, Winchester or the District of Columbia
  • Arlington, Fairfax, Fauquier, Prince William, Clarke or Frederick counties in Virginia
  • Montgomery, Washington, Prince George's, Frederick or Charles counties in Maryland
  • Jefferson County in West Virginia

Questions

Email artcontest@library.loudoun.gov with any questions about the contest.  The submission link will be available beginning Monday, Sept. 1.

Judging

Entries are separated into three categories and judged by members of the Loudoun Youth Advisory Council, PRCS staff, LCPL librarians and local professional artists:

• Middle School (Grades 6-8)
• High School (Grades 9-12)
• Adults (Ages 18+)

Judging will take into account the following:

• Connection to literature: How strongly the artwork ties into the literature it is inspired by 
• Artistic technique: Skill, quality and attention to detail
• Originality and creativity: Unique interpretation of the source material
• Overall impression: How well the work stands on its own and communicates the literary connection

Prizes

Prizes will be awarded to the top finishers in each category:

• First place: $200 gift card
• Second place: $100 gift card 
• Third place: $50 gift card

Gala Reception

The final round of judging will take place live during the Gala Reception at Franklin Park Arts Center on Saturday, Nov. 1, at 1 p.m.

• All qualifying entries will be displayed and recognized digitally.
• The top five entries in each age category will be invited to display their artwork for final judging.
• Finalists will be notified with drop-off instructions by Monday, Oct. 6.
• Display labels will include the title and author of the literary work that inspired each piece.

Middle School

First place: Katelyn Justin
Oceanic Symphony
Inspired by The Sea Around Us by Rachel Carson

Second place: Lydia Hsu
Narnia
Inspired by The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Third place: Kiana Hsu
The Circle Trilogy
Inspired by The Circle Trilogy by Ted Dekker

High School

First place: Gautham Agilan
Ablaze
Inspired by Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Second place: Charlotte Woo
The Other Side of Perfect
Inspired by The Other Side of Perfect by Mariko Turk

Third place: Yazheny Jothiramalingam
Price of Progress
Inspired by The End of Nature by Bill McKibben

Adult

First place: Patricia Taylor Holz
Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Inspired by The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Second place: Maren Magyar
The Secret Garden
Inspired by The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Third place: Amy Cureton-Alston
A Brush with Bravery
Inspired by The Lion and the Mouse by Aesop

View the artwork on YouTube

• Finalists
• All entries