About the Competition

Virginia's Community Colleges are inviting students to enter the 2025-2026 Visual Art Luminary and Poet Laureate Competition. "I Dream" is the theme for 2025-2026 competitions. 

The competitions provide students the opportunity to express themselves creatively, verbally and visually. Each college will select its own poet laureate and visual art luminary. College winners will advance to the state competition, scheduled for March at Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke. A panel of judges will select the second Poet Laureate of Virginia's Community Colleges. For the first time, a Visual Art Luminary of Virginia's Community Colleges will be selected. In 2024, only a People's Choice Visual Art Luminary was selected.

Who is Eligible?

The competition is open to WCC students enrolled at least part-time in adult education, workforce credential, certificate, or degree programs (Summer 2025, Fall 2025, or Spring 2026). Dual enrollment or early college students under 18 must have parental permission.

Questions?

Please contact Rodney Alderman (ralderman@wcc.vccs.edu) or Yvonne Grigg (ygrigg@wcc.vccs.edu) if you have any questions. 

Guidelines

• Poets: Submit three original poems (at least one must reflect the theme “I Dream”)
• Artists: Submit one original artwork inspired by the theme (Drawing, mixed media, painting, photography, printmaking, or sculpture)
• Application Deadline: Sunday, February 1
• Submission Deadline: Monday, February 16

How to Submit

Complete the Visual Art Luminary and Poet Laureate Application at this link. Poetry and electronic submissions can be uploaded below. Art submissions should be turned in at the WCC Foundation office in Smyth Hall.

Electronic Submissions