Students of the Central Coast: the California Arts and Sciences Institute (CASI) challenges you to explore the marvelous oceans and coast of our region, and produce an artwork displaying your creativity depicting a species or habitat of your choice. The medium of expression can be a drawing, photograph, painting, collage, or even a sculpture. The top thirty submittals will be exhibited in a grand display in May of 2025, including a gala reception for the student artists, their families and the public.

Any Monterey County public or private school may invite a CASI artist and scientist to visit your class or entire schoolwide presentation to provide an array of ideas for your inspiration, based upon timely early requests by each school.. Our speakers will set forth ideas for splendid natural habitats to visit, and also discuss specific techniques of artwork (e.g. photography vs painting). Our artists are the premier artists of the Central Coast, and our scientists are nationally or state recognized experts in ecology and botany. Our in school presentations will also provide context of some of the Endangered Species present (are endangered species, as well as unique habitats that will inspire you.

Works will be judged by an expert panel of three professional CASI artists and scientists. There will be three top prizes and five honorable mention awards. The top three winners will receive monetary scholarships pursuant to the CASI Youth Scholarship Fund. Contestants shall be high school or middle school students. Size of artworks shall not exceed a maximum dimension of 24 inches. Entries must be submitted by April 28, 2025. Entries must include a wire attachment on the back to be displayed; artworks may be framed or unframed. Student name, email and phone number should be on the back of artwork. For further information contact: bruzzonekatie@gmail.com

Works will be judged on originality, appeal, creativity and subject choice. Any use of Artificial Intelligence must be disclosed.

CASI 2025 Student Writing Contest

High School and College students are invited to submit original articles for entry into our 2025 writing contest. Scholarship cash awards will be given to the top entrants. Submittals are due in April, 2025. It is our intention to get some of the top entries published in peer reviewed international journals. Topics may range from science, economics, art, psychology and other fields. CASI senior mentors will assist the young writers in their work, and CASI is holding monthly Youth Mentoring sessions at the Carmel Barnyard, free to all youth. Articles shall have good reference citations.

Submittals must have references and be between two and six pages in length. Students are urged to submit an outline of works as early as possible. Early outstanding outline submitters will be eligible to win the award of CASI University Scholar, which not only carries a lifetime title, but also conveys a one year CASI membership, entitling the admission to numerous CASI events. To date CASI has named twelve University Scholars: Jet Garneau, Credence Stiebel, Jovan Osario, Isaac Dana, Cassandra Meyers, Katelyn Bilodeau, Zach Turner, Connor Bone, Bodhi Melton, Vishv Mepani, Roy Reneker, Venerando Augustin, Jade Meichtry, and Nicolas Rittermal. The University Scholar program has been funded by donors Elizabeth Quinn, Lawrence Samuels, Rene and Rick Schuler, and Michael Hogan. For further information contact cmhphysicist@gmail.com

Deadline of submittals is April 28, 2025 at this barnyard event or submittals to student’s school prior to this date.