Student Art Contest

2026 THEME = Who is Your Hero?

CONTEST DETAILS

Ben Franklin Transit (BFT) invites all students Grades 9 through 12 to create a piece of art that, if selected, will be showcased on the 2026 BFT Art BusA rubber-tired transit vehicle designed for roadway operation to transport a large number of persons for public transportation service. In most cases, it operates with a self- contained source of motive power. More. Both traditional and digital art will be accepted via online, mail, or in-person submissions.

THEME

Who is Your Hero?

Heroes offer hope.

Heroes show us what is possible.

Heroes serve as role models we can emulate.

And most heroes don’t wear capes! (Although you can include those that do.)

In times of uncertainty, heroes can inspire us, challenge us, and teach us. Ben Franklin Transit invites local high school students to create artwork depicting their hero! Consider how your hero has influenced you, what you have learned from them, or the ways in which you strive to be more like them.

•            Who is your hero?

•            What qualities make this person a hero?

•            What impact has your hero had on your life?

Heroes often display common traits—bravery, conviction, determination, helpfulness, honesty, moral integrity, selflessness, and strength.

Which of these traits does your hero embody?

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

1. Obtain the 11” x 17” poster paper from either your art teacher or the Customer Service office at Three Rivers Transit CenterA facility where transit vehicles converge, enabling passengers to transfer among routes and services. Transit centers are generally located off the street and provide passengers with a shaded or enclosed waiting area, seats, drinking fountains, and transit information. More.
2. Create an original design based on the theme using a horizontal (landscape) layout.
3. Hand-draw, color, or paint the poster. Computer-generated artwork scaled at 11” x 17” horizontal (landscape) at 600 dpi will be accepted—original artwork only!
4. Try using digital, felt-tip markers, colored pencils, tempera paints, color sticks, oils, bright watercolors, or chalk pastels since they show up well. Remember that your poster will be viewed from a distance, so make it CREATIVE, BOLD, and BRIGHT!
5. Turn in your finished product to your art teacher, upload it online, or drop it off at Customer Service at Three Rivers Transit CenterA facility where transit vehicles converge, enabling passengers to transfer among routes and services. Transit centers are generally located off the street and provide passengers with a shaded or enclosed waiting area, seats, drinking fountains, and transit information. More by Friday, March 27, 2026.
6. Submissions must follow guidelines, or they will be disqualified.
7. All submissions must include a completed Artist Release form. Include your full name, school, and on your art submission. Please return physical forms to Three Rivers Transit CenterA facility where transit vehicles converge, enabling passengers to transfer among routes and services. Transit centers are generally located off the street and provide passengers with a shaded or enclosed waiting area, seats, drinking fountains, and transit information. More, contact Marketing at marketing@bft.org or email forms to marketing@bft.org. Do not upload Artist Release forms to the art upload folder.
8. Artwork should incorporate a clear nod to Ben Franklin Transit — using BFT colors, logo, or a busA rubber-tired transit vehicle designed for roadway operation to transport a large number of persons for public transportation service. In most cases, it operates with a self- contained source of motive power. More design element.

Please Do Not:

• Put your name on the front of the poster, only on the back.
• Use the names of real sports teams, companies, stores, or restaurants, OR the titles of real books, movies, or TV shows on the poster.
• Draw real cartoons, comics, movies, or TV characters OR use any real logos, slogans, or advertised products; the only exception is the Ben Franklin Transit logo, of course!

WHAT ARE THE PRIZES?

Students:

1st Place Traditional Art & Digital Art (Two winners, one for each category)

• iPad and Apple Pencil • Artwork featured on the BFT Art BusA rubber-tired transit vehicle designed for roadway operation to transport a large number of persons for public transportation service. In most cases, it operates with a self- contained source of motive power. More

2nd Place Traditional Art & Digital Art (Two winners, one for each category)

• $300 Amazon gift card • Artwork featured on the BFT Art BusA rubber-tired transit vehicle designed for roadway operation to transport a large number of persons for public transportation service. In most cases, it operates with a self- contained source of motive power. More

3rd Place Traditional Art & Digital Art (Two winners, one for each category)

• $200 Amazon gift card • Artwork featured on the BFT Art BusA rubber-tired transit vehicle designed for roadway operation to transport a large number of persons for public transportation service. In most cases, it operates with a self- contained source of motive power. More

Top 5 Traditional Art & Digital Art (Five from each category)

• Artwork featured inside the BFT Art BusA rubber-tired transit vehicle designed for roadway operation to transport a large number of persons for public transportation service. In most cases, it operates with a self- contained source of motive power. More headrail display

Teachers:

1st Place (Traditional Art & Digital Art)

• $300 Amazon gift card for classroom use

2nd Place (Traditional Art & Digital Art)

• $200 Amazon gift card for classroom use

3rd Place (Traditional Art & Digital Art)

• $100 Amazon gift card for classroom use