And the winners are: Budding artists depict ‘seeds of hope’ in 2026 Climate Hope Art Contest

More than 60 churches, across 26 states, and 354 participating children and teen artists — with the youngest artist just two-years-old — joined together to promote environmental justice and care for the planet they love. 

Wrapping up its annual contest that began last fall, the United Church of Christ’s Environmental Justice Ministries announced the winning Climate Hope art contest entries. The budding artists and their work were presented during a virtual ceremony held on Saturday, April 25. 

The winners, representing their age categories, were: 

• Ages 6 and Under: Brayden, a six-year-old from Smith Memorial Congregational UCC in Hillsboro, New Hampshire; 
• Ages 7-9: Viviana, an eight-year-old from Hillsboro First UCC, Hillsboro, Oregon;
• Ages 10-13: Mahalia, twelve-year-old from Church of the Good Shepherd, Ann Arbor, Michigan;
• Ages 14-17: Serena, a seventeen-year-old from Congregational Church of South Hempstead, South Hempstead, New York;
• And, the Overall Winner: Leah, a twelve-year-old from First Church in Belfast UCC, Belfast, Maine.

Judging was based on how the artist articulated the Climate Hope theme for 2026, “Planting Seeds of Hope.” Judges also factored in artistic ability and whether the artwork would fit on a postcard. The winners will serve now as a young advocates with the offices of their congress members and tour the Capitol, learning how to bring their faith values to life in the halls of power.

The winning art will additionally serve as the 2026 artwork for the advocacy postcards of Climate Hope Affiliates, a joint program of the United Church of Christ and Creation Justice Ministries that involves ecumenical chapters throughout the country.

The Rev. Brooks Berndt, the UCC’s Minister for Environmental Justice, says the art contest serves as a reminder that children have the power to help adults act and make necessary changes for the environment. 

“Whenever I share a slideshow of the finalists at a church, it never fails to prompt audible responses from the audience that reveal how much their hearts are moved and their minds provoked,” said Berndt. “Art connects them with what fundamentally moves them to act. They care deeply about the world their children and grandchildren are inheriting.”

The ceremony in its entirety can be viewed below and on the UCC’s YouTube Channel. 

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