Did you know that about 20 volcanoes are erupting at any given moment? They can impact millions of people all around the world! By studying volcanoes, scientists can better understand how our planet works and can help people who live near them be more aware of their hazards.

We invite you to learn more about volcanoes, their activity, and effects by exploring the GVP website. Each volcano has its own profile page that includes interesting details about it, such as its location, how tall it is, its biggest eruptions, and sometimes even information about what it is doing right now. There are also photo galleries that can help you learn about different types of volcanoes, different ways a volcano can erupt, and different jobs people have working with volcanoes. Famous artwork throughout history, such as “The Eruption of Vesuvius”, 1771 by Pierre-Jacques Volaire, “Under the Wave off Kanagawa”, 1831 by Katsushika Hokusai, and “The Scream”, 1893 by Edvard Munch have been inspired by volcanic scenery or volcanic events. How do volcanoes inspire you?

Artists will be divided by grade into four categories: K-2, grades 3-5, grades 6-8, and grades 9-12. Select artwork will be featured digitally on the GVP Photo Gallery webpage. Artwork must be submitted online by 11:59 pm (EST) on 31 October 2025. The GVP special Photo Gallery Page will be publicly available on 1 December 2025. Entries for this gallery are currently limited to US-based residents only. Review the complete Student Volcano Art Gallery 2025 submission rules below.

Examples of what you might want to feature in your artwork:

• Your favorite volcano
• Volcanic hazards
• Lava flows
• Ash plumes
• Pyroclastic flows

Failure to follow all rules and guidelines will result in disqualification.

• Artwork must follow the theme: Volcanic Hazards
• All art mediums (pencil, paint, pen, etc.) are accepted, as long as it is your own original work
• Digital artwork are also accepted, as long as it is your own original work
• Use of AI or Machine Learning software to generate art or photography is prohibited and will result in disqualification
• Photography and/or video media of a volcano will not be accepted and if submitted will result in disqualification
• Any form of plagiarism will result in disqualification. (Plagiarism is the act of taking credit for someone else’s work or ideas and presenting them as your own)
• Inappropriate language and themes; e.g. depictions of death are prohibited and will result in disqualification
• Ensure that your name is not included on the artwork
• An original title must be included for each submission
• All files must be submitted as .jpg
• All entries must be submitted by a person who is 18 years of age or older; for people under the age of 18, a parent, legal guardian, or teacher must submit on their behalf and include a signed copy of the appropriate release or permission verification
• One entry per student
• Entries for this gallery are currently limited to US-based residents only
• The Smithsonian reserves the right to modify these rules and guidelines any time for any reason at its discretion

Entry and deadline:

• Please submit a high-resolution scan or a high-resolution photo (no less than 96 dpi)
• In the subject line you must write: First name Volcano Art Gallery Submission
• Example: Kadie Volcano Art Gallery Submission
• The file attachment must be written as: First name_grade_state_title_2025.jpg
• Example: Kadie_12_VA_Sunsets and scoria cones_2025.jpg
• Artwork must be submitted by 11:59 pm (EST) on 31 October 2025
• If submitting on behalf of a person who is under the age of 18, please submit a signed copy of the appropriate release or permission verification

• The Smithsonian Institution does not post content that is unrelated to the SI mission.
• The Smithsonian Institution has the sole discretion whether to use this submission as a whole or in parts (please see and agree to the release forms).
• Failure to follow all rules and guidelines will result in disqualification.
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