Friends Writing, Art, and Photo Contest
The Friends of Schmeeckle hold an annual Writing, Art and Photo Contest. Visitors to Schmeeckle Reserve who are inspired to take photos, create art, or write about the natural area are invited to submit their work in the contest. The Friends hosts the contest to raise awareness of the Reserve and the Friends group, which supports the natural area. Winners are honored at an opening reception each year.
2026 Arts Contest
Submissions are invited for the annual Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve Arts, Writing & Photography Contest. Entries should be inspired by and based on Schmeeckle Reserve. All work must be original and must be created by the submitter. Judges shall determine appropriateness of all entries and categories.
Entry Categories and Submission
Artwork: Can by any medium of your choice (paintings, sculptures, etc.). Submit entry at the visitor center at 2419 North Point Drive, Stevens Point, WI.
Writing: Can be an essay, poem, story, etc. Submit entry via email (info@friendsofschmeeckle.org) as a word document, PDF, or plain text format.
Photography: Images should be high resolution and suitable for print and digital display. Submit entry via email (info@friendsofschmeeckle.org) as a JPEG, TIFF, PNG, or GIF file. Note: Some phones alter photo properties when sharing. If using a phone camera, check image quality after downloading or sharing.
Digital Art: Can include collages, highly manipulated digital photography, digital illustrations, digital sculpting, animations, and more! Submit entry and submission information via email (info@friendsofschmeeckle.org).
Deadline
Entries are due December 4, 2026, at 4 p.m. Entry documents along with the submission information requested on the form are required. You will receive a confirmation email that your submission has been received.
You may submit in all three categories but may submit only one entry per category (Artwork, Writing, Photography, Digital Art).
2025 Arts Contest
Congratulations to winners of twelfth annual Friends of Schmeeckle Reserve Writing, Art & Photography Contest! Thank you to all who participated in honoring winners at the reception on January 23rd at the Schmeeckle Reserve Visitor Center.
Winning Entries
Artwork (Grades 7-12): First place tie, Tessa Bruckhart and Quinn Cychosz.
Artwork (Adult): First place, Alyssa Shurbert-Hetzel; second place tie, Ace Lee and Cate Thomding.
Digital Art: First place, Rae Henneman; second place, Marek Martinson; honorable mention, Scott Adamski, Tessa Bruckhart, and Katelyn Steidl.
Photography (Landscape – Beginner): First place, Julie Marie; second place, Mary Elliott; third place, Alex Mentele; honorable mention, Azalea Hanson.
Photography (Landscape – Intermediate/Advanced): First place, Marna Andre; second place, Erik Osby; third place, Mason Becker.
Photography (Wildlife – Beginner): First place, Samantha Nadig; second place, Maia Chiarino; third place, Richard DeWeese.
Photography (Wildlife – Intermediate/Advanced): First place, Eric Maddock; second place, Scott Adamski; third place, Shannon Kearney; honorable mention, Steve Faber, David Forsythe, Rae Henneman, Kristina Lapp, Sam O’Shasky, and Jessica Tomaszewski.
Photography (Other – Beginner): First place, Tessa Bruckhart.
Writing (Adult): First place, Oliver Tipton; second place, Emily Koniar; third place, Asher Schroeder; honorable mention, Michael Houlihan, Muhammad Kuku, Ryleigh Miller, and Taylor Shurtleff.
Display Information
All entries from the 2025 contest will be displayed downtown Stevens Point beginning mid-August. More details to come.
Arts Contest Submissions and Winners
Click below to view photo, art, and writing submissions from current and previous years.