Upcoming CASI Free Youth Mentoring Events

Oct 18. 3:30pm – Carmel Barnyard. Katie Bruzzone will lead art mentoring; noted author Lawrence Samuels will lead writing mentoring.

Dec 10. 3:30pm – Carmel Barnyard. This event will feature filmmaking mentoring and art mentoring as well as continued writing contest mentoring.

Jan 20. 3:30pm – Carmel Barnyard. Dr Josh Kittleson, will speak on molecular biology and biotech; Katie Bruzzone and Jennifer Perlmutter will lead art mentoring.

All the above Youth Mentoring events will occur at the Carmel Barnyard Community Shared Space: 3756 The Barnyard, Ste H23, Carmel, CA 93923, Above Patrick James Clothiers

CASI 2025 Student Art Contest

 Students of the Central Coast: the California Arts and Sciences Institute (CASI) challenges you to explore the marvelous flora and fauna 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 ask to have a CASI artist or scientist visit your school to provide an array of ideas for your inspiration, based upon timely early requests by the 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 June 15, 2024. Entries must include a wire attachment on the back to be displayed; artworks may be framed or unframed.

Entries will be retained for approximately 90 days after submission for judging and exhibition. 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. 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 ten University Scholars: Jet Garneau, Credence Stiebel, Jovan Osario, Isaac Dana, Cassandra Meyers, Katelyn Bilodeau, Zach Turner, Connor Bone,  Bodhi Melton,  Roy Reneker, and Nicolas Rittermal. The University Scholar program has been funded by donors Elizabeth Quinn, Lawrence Samuels, Rene and Rick Schuler, and Michael Hogan.