Artwork of a seal caught in marine debris.

Artwork

Check out some of the creative marine debris artwork used to spread awareness of marine debris.

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Art Contest Winners

These are the winners of our annual Student Art Contest
These calendar entries are in the public domain and are free to use; however, we would appreciate you listing the student creator as your source. For example: Credit Alice H. (Grade 2, Massachusetts)

2025 Calendar Winners

A painting of the beach and ocean, with a whale and other sea creatures swimming through the water, while a large shoe print full of debris items sits on the beach, with text reading "How our trash leaves a deadly mark on sea life," artwork by Juhwan H. (Grade 8, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A painting of an underwater scene with lots of sea creatures and one plastic bottle in a "No" sign, with text reading "Can you imagine?", artwork by Ariana B. (Grade 8, Georgia), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A painting of a hand reaching into the water, where a sea turtle swims amid trash items, with a speech bubble reading "yummy," artwork by Anwesha J. (Grade 8, Florida), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A drawing of the sea floor with a plastic bag floating by, a fish trapped in a bottle, and a hermit crab using a purple cup as a shell, artwork by Jerilyn L. (Grade 7, Connecticut), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A drawing of a coral reef full of sea creatures and trash, with an octopus at the top holding two signs reading "We need clean water to thrive" and "Our home is not your garbage can," artwork by Sahini K. (Grade 6, Florida), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A marker and paint drawing of a desktop globe full of happy sea creatures, while the area around the globe is full of trash items and text reading, "It's their world too," artwork by Ellie M. (Grade 6, Florida), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A vibrant watercolor painting of an undersea scene with debris items scattered around, and the area around each debris item is white and colorless, with text in the corner that reads "No water, no life," artwork by Lola K. (Grade 5, Hawai'i), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A painting of two whales swimming through water amid islands, with trash scattered around, artwork by a fifth-grade student in New Mexico, winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A colored pencil drawing of a hand reaching into the ocean amid sea creatures holding signs with "no littering" messages on them, artwork by Anika A. (Grade 4, Washington), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A painting of a jellyfish floating amid seaweed and trash items, while a red sea star with a sad face is trapped inside a jar, artwork by AnTian Z. (Grade 3, Maryland), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A watercolor painting where a grey seal lies on a beach that is littered with trash, resting its head on a plastic bottle, the blue ocean in the background is also filled with trash items, artwork by Aria H. (Grade 2, Virginia), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A colored pencil drawing where sea turtle lies on a beach surrounded by trash, with the ocean and city skyline in the background, artwork by Macayle L-P. (Grade 2, American Samoa), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A drawing of a large, white plastic bag swallowing a fish, which is swallowing a smaller fish, which is swallowing a tiny fish, artwork by Geonryul P. (Grade 1, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.

2024 Calendar Winners

Sea creatures creatively designed out of plastic items swim over text reading "Don't Let This Be Our Future," artwork by Will N. (Grade 8, New York), winner of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
An image of a clean, vibrant coral reef on one side and a brown, debris-covered coral reef on the other beneath text reading "Sea a Change," artwork by Magdalene F. (Grade 8, Florida), winner of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A sea turtle with a collage of debris items in its shell looks at a floating plastic bag in the ocean, artwork by Clara G. (Grade 8, California), winner of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
Images of animals amid debris items under text reading "STOP using single use plastics," artwork by Norah D. (Grade 7, Rhode Island), winner of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
Artwork by Courtlyn W. (Grade 7, Louisiana), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A blue cuttlefish surrounded by other sea creatures and text reflecting the negative impacts of debris on the ocean, artwork by Heidi K. (Grade 6, Virginia), winner of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A diver frees a turtle from a plastic bag beside a trash can full of debris items, under text reading "Save the Seas," artwork by Jaemyn L. (Grade 6, Pennsylvania), winner of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A pen and ink drawing of a whale made of debris items, with text reading "The greatest danger to our planet is the thought that someone else will fix it," artwork by Sophia K. (Grade 5, New York), winner of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
An abstract scene of animals struggling with the impacts of marine debris, artwork by Luca L. (Grade 4, Washington), winner of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A diver with a bag labeled "Trash" cuts a six-pack ring off of an octopus, artwork by Arianna B. (Grade 4, Maine), winner of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A peaceful beach scene featuring a person with long red hair looking over the ocean while picking up debris, artwork by Hazel P. (Grade 3, Florida), winner of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A colorful underwater scene of sea creatures amid marine debris under text that reads "Stop Polluting! Start Reusing!" Artwork Kai R. (Grade 2, Hawai'i), winner of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.
A painting of sea creatures playing a game of soccer with the scoreboard reading "Pollution 0, Ocean 100," under the text "Help Our Ocean Win," artwork by Brooke B. (Grade 1, Hawai'i), winner of the NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest.

2023 Calendar Winners

Artwork of an hourglass with sea creatures in the top half, becoming plastic bottles in the bottom half.
Artwork of a coral reef scene featuring debris amid creatures asking for "Help".
Artwork of a sandy beach with debris and seashells spelling out "Stop Debris, [love] Me".
Artwork of a sad octopus holding a discarded container with the message "Keep Our Beaches Debris Free!".
Artwork of a bandaged whale with a pile of debris and coral on its back.
Artwork of a coral reef scene with debris and sea creatures holding signs that read "Save the Sea!".
Artwork of an underwater scene with coffee cups, masks, and other debris around text reading "Help Save the Ocean".
Artwork of a sea turtle trapped in a tire and plastic glove, with text reading "#Plasticfree".
Artwork of an infinity symbol filled with images of debris over an undersea scene, with text reading "Water Is Life Make It Perfect".
Artwork of two halves of a puzzle, one depicting clean seas and one with seas impacted by marine debris.
Artwork of A plastic bottle with fish trapped inside, surrounded by concerned sea creatures.
Artwork of a person conducting a cleanup, with happy sea creatures and debris-impacted creatures behind.
Artwork of a colorful mermaid surrounded by grey debris.

2022 Calendar Winners

Artwork of creatures swimming through a coral reef away from a derelict net, accompanied by a dolphin filled with marine debris.
Artwork of a submersible collecting marine debris from the water.
Artwork of sea creatures collecting marine debris, with text that reads "Together we can make the ocean Free of Debris".
Artwork of the letters "SOS" made out of marine debris, surrounded by two entangled whales.
Artwork of a school of squid holding stop signs and marine debris.
Artwork of a shark rising out of water saying "Don't pollute the oceans!" with the sea beneath half full of debris and half of healthy creatures.
Artwork of a beach covered in debris with signs reading "Save our sea creatures," "No throwing trash," and "No littering" underneath the text "Keep the sea free from debris!".
Artwork of a giant squid surrounded by marine debris and creatures crying "help us" with a banner that reads "Do your part, for you and them before it's too late".
Artwork of an underwater dump truck collecting marine debris.
Artwork of a child sitting atop a globe inside a water bottle filled with marine debris, underneath text reading "Pollutants are harming animals. But they aren't the only ones being trapped".
Artwork of a coral reef filled with fish and marine debris.
Artwork of a ghostly jellyfish mosaic made out of debris items.
Artwork of a hand made out of marine debris reaches into the ocean from a cityscape, disturbing the fish and manta rays.

2021 Calendar Winners

Artwork by Sophie W. (Grade 8, Michigan), winner of the 2021 Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest
Artwork by Kate D. (Grade 8, Florida), winner of the 2021 Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest
Artwork by Keya D. (Grade 7, Michigan), winner of the 2021 Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest
Artwork by Ceirra C. (Grade 7, Maryland), winner of the 2021 Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest
Artwork by Krishi P. (Grade 6, South Carolina), winner of the 2021 Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest
Artwork by Bohdan A. (Grade 6, Massachusetts), winner of the 2021 Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest
Artwork by Francisco V. (Grade 5, Texas), winner of the 2021 Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest
Artwork by Nora T. (Grade 4, Minnesota), winner of the 2021 Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest
Artwork by Sabina W. (Grade 3, Washington), winner of the 2021 Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest
Artwork by Selina S. (Grade 3, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands), winner of the 2021 Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest
Artwork by Xhian R. (Grade 2, U.S. Virgin Islands), winner of the 2021 Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest
Artwork by Alice H. (Grade 2, Massachusetts), winner of the Annual NOAA Marine Debris Program Art Contest
Artwork by Clayton K. (Grade 1, California)

2020 Calendar Winners

Artwork by Jennie C. (Grade 8, Massachusetts)
Artwork by Nora B. (Grade 8, Hawaii)
Artwork by Cindy P. (Grade 7, Mississippi)
Artwork by Taelyn B. (Grade 7, Idaho)
Artwork by Carson M. (Grade 6, Georgia)
Artwork by Ava E. (Grade 6, California)
Artwork by Aaron K. (Grade 5, Michigan)
Artwork by Julia K. (Grade 5, Massachusetts)
Artwork by Amy H. (Grade 5, Massachusetts)
Artwork by Anastasia K. (Grade 4, Pennsylvania)
Artwork by Luke G. (Grade 3, Ohio)
Artwork by Gana S. (Grade 2, U.S. Virgin Islands)
Artwork by Verona M. (Grade 1, Hawaii)

2019 Calendar Winners

Artwork by Mia C. (Grade 8, Texas).
Artwork by Nadia B (Grade 8, Maryland).
Artwork by Anna J. (Grade 8, Florida).
Artwork by John K. (Grade 7, New Jersey).
Artwork by Paige P. (Grade 7, Massachusetts).
Artwork by Emma M. (Grade 6, Pennsylvania).
Artwork by Taelyn B. (Grade 6, Idaho).
Artwork by Yufei F. (Grade 5, Michigan).
Artwork by Carson M. (Grade 5, Georgia).
Artwork by Mia B. (Grade 3, West Virginia).
Artwork by Zilan C. (Grade 2, Michigan).
Artwork by Lillie H. (Grade 1, Washington).
Artwork by Sabrina W. (Grade 1, Maryland).

2018 Calendar Winners

Artwork by Frida S. (Grade 8, Texas)
Artwork by Malisa L. (Grade 8, Hawaii)
Artwork by Nicole N. (Grade 7, New Jersey)
Artwork by James S. (Grade 7, Louisiana)
Artwork by Kelly L. (Grade 7, California)
Artwork by Sasha H. (Grade 6, California)
Artwork by Hannah H. (Grade 5, Alaska)
Artwork by Zachary L. (Grade 4, Rhode Island)
Artwork by Carson M. (Grade 4, Georgia)
Artwork by Marguerite A. (Grade 4, California)
Artwork by Kelsen S. (Grade 3, Hawaii)
Artwork by Kameaheleikealapono S. (Grade 2, Hawaii)
Artwork by Aman D. (Grade 1, North Carolina)

2017 Calendar Winners

Artwork by Natalie B. (Grade 7, California).
Artwork by Bailee S. (Grade 8, Virginia).
Artwork by Malley M. (Grade 8, Michigan).
Artwork by Emily B. (Grade 8, Pennsylvania).
Artwork by Kathy R. (Grade 8, California).
Artwork by Sallie S. (Grade 7, Washington).
Artwork by Emilia W. (Grade 7, New Jersey).
Artwork by James S. (Grade 6, Louisiana).
Artwork by Dayoung L. (Grade 5, Hawaii).
Artwork by Lexy F. (Grade 3, Texas).
Artwork by Carson M. (Grade 3, Georgia).
Artwork by Maile R. Genae W. (Grade 2, Georgia).
Artwork by Maile R. (Grade 1, Hawaii).

2016 Calendar Winners

Artwork by Debbie B. (Grade 7, Virginia)
Artwork by Jacqueline L. (Grade 7, Hawaii)
Artwork by Halie C. (Grade 6, South Carolina)
Artwork by Samantha C. (Grade 6, Michigan)
Artwork by Claire B. (Grade 6, California)
Artwork by Ryan W. (Grade 5, Michigan)
Artwork by Dakota M. (Grade 5, Louisiana)
Artwork by Elizabeth H. (Grade 4, Florida)
Artwork by Gautham K. (Grade 4, California)
Artwork by Madison I. (Grade 3, Hawaii)
Artwork by Carson M. (Grade 2, Georgia)
Artwork by Matt K. (Grade 1, Georgia)
Artwork by Emily E. (Grade 1, Alaska)

2015 Calendar Winners

Artwork by Joanna S. (Grade 4, New York)
Artwork by Diego D. (Grade 7, Washington)
Artwork by Elizabeth S. (Grade 8, Virginia)
Artwork by Ellery S. (Grade 6, South Carolina)
Artwork by Linda G. (Grade 6, Ohio)
Artwork by Julie D. (Grade 7, Ohio)
Artwork by Jessica D. (Grade 4, New York)
Artwork by Johanna B. (Grade 1, Minnesota)
Artwork by Stephanie S. (Grade 4, Massachusetts)
Artwork by Dara K. (Grade 2, Hawaii)
Artwork by Molly C. (Grade 5, Florida)
Artwork by Vaibhavi P. (Grade 7, California)
Artwork by Ana M. (Overall Winner)

2014 Calendar Winners

Artwork by Armanita L. (Grade 7, Washington)
Artwork by Aleena F. (Grade 5, Texas)
Artwork by Maggie R. (Grade 3, West Virginia)
Artwork by Deanna W. (Grade 8, North Carolina)
Artwork by Lindsey B. (Grade 8, North Carolina)
Artwork by Jenny B. (Grade 8, Michigan)
Artwork by Jennifer S. (Grade 8, Kentucky)
Artwork by Kaylee M. (Grade 5, Hawaii)
Artwork by Lindsey L. (Grade K, Florida)
Artwork by Maylina D. (Grade 8, Florida)
Artwork by Brianna V. (Grade 3, California)
Artwork by Kayla M. (Grade 6, Alaska)
Artwork by 2014 Art Contest Winner Ivy H. (Grade 6, Michigan)

2013 Calendar Winners

Artwork by Claire E. (Grade 6, California)
Artwork by Teeger B. (Grade 8, California)
Artwork by Chloe K. (Grade 7, Washington)
Artwork by Sasini W. (Grade 8, Maryland)
Artwork by Landon James B. (Grade K, Hawaii)
Artwork by Kyra T. (Grade 5, Hawaii)
Artwork by Kekoa Isabel T. (Grade 4, Hawaii)
Artwork by Taylee H. (Grade 3, Hawaii)
Artwork by Meryl L. (Grade 3, Florida)
Artwork by Hsiu L. (Grade 8, California)
Artwork by Faye T. (Grade 4, Mississippi)
Artwork by Natania J. (Grade 3, Hawaii)

2012 Calendar Winners

Artwork by Riley O. (Grade 4, Maryland)
Artwork by Gerald James G. (Grade K, Hawaii)
Artwork by Madison J. (Grade 7, Hawaii)
Artwork by Carlotta C. (Grade K, Guam)
Artwork by Emily B. (Grade 7, Maryland)
Artwork by Elaine Y. (Grade 4, Maryland)
Artwork by Krish K. (Grade 2, California)
Artwork by Ellie N. (Grade 8, California)
Artwork by Kylah R. (Grade 7, Hawaii)
Artwork by Shannon T. (Grade 6, Florida)
Artwork by Tayler W. (Grade 5, Florida)
Artwork by Gabriel S. (Grade 2, Washington)
Artwork by Leilani H. (Grade 8, Hawaii)

2011 Calendar Winners

Artwork by Kiarha Y. (Grade 4, Nebraska)
Artwork by Sofia H. (Grade 6, California)
Artwork by Krish K. (Grade 1, California)
Artwork by Dannia A. (Grade 1, Hawaii)
Artwork by Kimaya C. (Grade 6, California)
Artwork By Annika F. (Grade 3, California)
Artwork By Tricia J. (Grade 2, California)
Artwork by William J. (Grade 5, Virginia)
Artwork By Anolani V. (Grade 6, Hawaii)
Artwork by Dani F. (Grade 8, Virginia)
Artwork by Elaine L. (Grade 4, Florida)
Artwork by Caroline K. (Grade 8, Virginia)

All resources that are credited to NOAA are in the public domain and are free to use; however, we would appreciate you listing us as your source. For use of resources credited to other organizations, permission should be obtained from that organization.

For citation purposes, unless otherwise noted, this article was authored by the NOAA Marine Debris Program.

Last updated Mon, 04/15/2024 - 10:34 am EDT