As the snow melts and the days grow longer, spring brings a fresh burst of excitement to Ashland County – and what better way to celebrate than with art and cookies! Join us for the 4-H Spring Art and Cookie Contest, where young creators and bakers get to show the community what they’re made of.
Art Contest Information
2026 Art Theme: Biomorphic Abstract Art with Watercolors!
Youth will work with their choice of 2 liquid watercolors and play with visual effects to create abstract art pieces inspired by the natural world, or biomorphic art. “These shapes may look like leaves, flowers, clouds—things that grow, flow, and move. The term biomorphic means: life-form (bio=life and morph= form). Biomorphic shapes are often rounded and irregular, unlike most geometric shapes.” –National Gallery of Art, The Elements of Art: Shape
The Spring Art Contest officially opens on Monday, March 30, 2026.
- Art supplies can be picked up at the Ash-Co 4-H office Monday-Friday 8am-4pm OR ask your Club Leader about organizing pickup for one of your meetings!
- Artists are welcome to use their own materials or ask the office for more materials.
Artist demonstration and workshop on Wednesday, April 8, at 6:30pm
- Location: Bretting Center in Ashland.
- Come prepared to learn from judges Jen and Joni about biomorphic art and get started on your contest entries! All supplies will be provided.
- No worries if you are unable to join, we will be filming this workshop and posting it in our Resources & Inspiration section!
Open Category – New in 2026!
- Got another idea of something artful you’d like to contribute? Submit your work in the open category.
- These pieces will be judged separately from the main contest and as a single age group.
- Pieces will be judged with input from participants at the Spring Celebration.
The Contest closes on Monday, May 4, 2026.
- Artwork entries are due by 4:30pm to the Ash-Co 4-H office on the closing date.
- Remember to give your artwork a title and write your name and age on the back of the paper!
- Local artists will review all the entries that week. Artwork is reviewed based Creativity, Craftsmanship, & Comprehension.
Awards announced at the Spring Celebration- Saturday, May 9, 2026!
- Join us from 1-3PM at the Vaughn Public Library in Ashland
- Optional activities before and after awards are announced. Plus, enjoy the Cookie Contest!
- Artwork entries are displayed. Participants receive certificates and/or prizes.
Please keep in mind that each artwork…
- Needs to be an original work made by the youth participant.
- Will be displayed at the Vaughn Library after the Celebration.
- Can later be submitted to the Ashland County Junior Fair Exhibit in August.
OR contact the 4-H Office / your Club Leader for a paper copy!
Age Groups*
ages 5-6
ages 7-8
ages 9-10
ages 11-12
ages 13-14
ages 15-16
ages 17-19
Artists and Families are invited to a workshop presented by judges Jen and Joni on Wednesday, April 8, at 6:30PM at the Bretting Center in Ashland!
Please come prepared to learn about biomorphic art and create your own practice pieces! All supplies will be provided! No worries if you are unable to join, we will be filming this workshop and posting it in this section!
Inspiration for your artwork!
Here are some sample art pieces provided by the judges to use as inspiration for your Biomorphic art! Explore more below to see how to create different visual effects with watercolor!
Watercolor Visual Effects!
There are many different visual effects that can be created with watercolors!
Here’s a video showcasing how to watercolor paint using salt to create a special effect!
Drawing on top of your watercolor piece
After you’re finished with your watercolor piece, add line art to show the biomorphic elements!
Cookie Contest Information
2026 Cookie Contest Guidelines!
In addition to our Spring Art Contest, 4-H is happy to announce a Spring Cookie Contest that will take place at the Art Contest Celebration! Youth can enter both competitions!
Time/Date/Location
May 9, 2026 at 1:00pm at the Vaughn Public Library, Ashland, WI
Contest eligibility:
- 4-H Youth Member
- 4-H Adult Member
- Friend of 4-H
- Parent, Guardian, or Grandparent
Cookie Entry Regulations
- Cookies must be made by entrant (adults may supervise younger members).
- Cookies must be made from scratch recipe.
- Recipe is to be handwritten or typed on a half sheet of paper. Note common allergens. Contestant’s club name, name, and age category are to be written on the top left corner of recipe using three separate lines. See attached entry form.
- Baked size of cookies should be no more than 3.5” diameter.
- Pre-registration is not required, but will earn bonus points (see below).
- Displays of 6 cookies on a plate covered with plastic wrap or on plate in a sealed baggie (for judging) are to be turned in at the entry table no later than 15 minutes prior to judging. We recommend that you bring 18-24 cookies for sharing and the “People’s Choice” award.
- One entry per registrant.
- Day of event registration and check-in will be from 12:30-12:45pm at the Vaughn Public Library. Any entries accepted after 12:45pm will be considered late.
Judging:
- Following the directions of the contest instructions – 10 points
- Your recipe – 20 points
- Display presentation of your cookies (consistency in size, shape, doneness) – 30 points
- How delicious your cookies are – 40 points
- Bonus for pre-registration (before 1pm May 8) – visit, call, or e-mail Dave at the Extension office (715-682-7017 or dave.ullman@wisc.edu) – 5 points
Age Groups
Beginner Baker (5-10)
Apprentice Baker (11-18)
Master Baker (19+)
People’s Choice (all ages)
Spring Art and Cookie Celebration
Join us on Saturday, May 9, 2026 from 1-3PM for the Spring Art and Cookie Celebration at the Vaughn Public Library! Stay tuned for more info…
Have a Question?
Dave Ullman serves Ashland County as the 4-H Youth Development Educator. To learn more about Youth Programming and the role of Extension in Ashland County, send an email to dave.ullman@wisc.edu or call the Ashland County office at 715-682-7017.
In accordance with federal law and its enacting regulations, any person with limited English proficiency (LEP) has the right to request and receive information related to Extension’s educational programming and services in a language other than English. In order to receive assistance with interpretation and/or translation needs, or any other matter related to language access issues, please contact: oaic@extension.wisc.edu