Individual Challenge FAQs

Who can participate in Cal Water H₂O's Challenge's Individual Challenge?

Students, grades K-12, in a Cal Water service area are eligible to participate.

My home is in Cal Water but my school is not. Can I still participate?

Absolutely, yes. Students living in, or attending school in, a Cal Water service area are eligible to participate.

How do I find out if I'm in a Cal Water service area?

Please check your school or home address on the Cal Water service area map or Contact Us with your school information and we can verify your eligibility status.

Can I submit more than one entry?

No, only one entry per participant is allowed.

What should the artwork be about?

This year’s Cal Water H₂O Challenge theme focuses on the drought conditions in California. While we encourage drought-related artwork, we also greatly appreciate pieces around local water issues. Tackling water issues other than the drought will not affect the evaluation of submitted artwork. All submissions are to focus on caring for water and on local California water issues.

What types of art are accepted?

We are accepting art composed in traditional fine art mediums, such as pen and ink, painting, sketches, and other two-dimensional artwork.

What size artwork is acceptable?

Submissions should be e no larger than 24" x 36" x 1 1/2"

May I submit 3-dimensional artwork, such as a sculpture?

Sculptures and other 3-dimensional artwork are not accepted at this time.

Are photographs accepted? Films, or video?

Not at this time. Submitted artwork cannot be photographic in nature, nor take place over time such as with film and animation.

How many persons can contribute to the artwork entry?

Only one. All artwork must be the original creation of the submitting student without the aid of any other individual in its creation.

I don't understand the artist's statement. What do I need to discuss in my statement?

The statement should describe the work submitted. How did you create it? What message does it portray? How does the work reflect the theme of caring for water? How does it touch on a local California water issue? Anything else that you would like the judges to know about the work and its creation.

If you have any questions about the statement or require accommodations, please email us at calwaterchallenge@gmail.com.

How long should the statement be?

The statement should be at least a paragraph long but no more than 500 words.

My child is competing at the K-2 level. Do they still need an artist's statement?

Yes. However, artist's statements will be judged relevant to their age level (i.e., we are not expecting 500 word statements from K-2 students), but we would still love to hear in their words what their artwork means to them, and how they are thinking about water. For more, please see our sample entries on the Resources page.

How do I submit my entry?

Entries should be mailed to California Water Service along with a coversheet, which includes the artist's statement.

California Water Service
Cal Water H₂O Challenge Individual Challenge
ATTN: Conservation Department
2632 West 237th Street
Torrance, CA 90505.

What is the submission deadline?

This year, there will be two submission deadlines. Submit by December 31, 2022 to have your artwork displayed in the new Featured Artists gallery! Teachers, submit 5 or more entries from your students, and you will be entered in a drawing for a $75 gift card for art supplies!

The final deadline for submissions is January 31, 2023.
Submissions should be postmarked by January 31, 2023.

Will my submission be returned?

We do not return submissions. If you would like to keep your original artwork, please submit a copy or a photograph of your art entry.

Photographs or copies of submissions should be no smaller than 8" x 10".