4-H Youth Arts and Crafts Show

Paulding 4-H Youth Arts & Crafts Show

The 2026 Paulding 4-H Youth Arts & Crafts Show will take place at the Paulding Meadows Arts & Crafts Festival September 12th - 13th, 2026. The physical location will be at Earl Duncan Park - 472 Paulding Meadows Drive, Dallas, GA 30132.

Registration

This event is open to Paulding students in Kindergarten -12th Grade. Registration is required and will be open Monday, August 17^th – Monday, August 31^st.  Non-Paulding students will be allowed, as space allows. A $5 registration fee will be required for each piece entered into the competition. Each participant will receive two (2) gate tickets to Paulding Meadows Arts and Crafts Festival ($10 value). Payment links will be sent to participants within 48 hours of registration. All registration fees should be paid by Friday, September 4^th. All payments are final and non-refundable. In-person payments are available; please get in touch with our office at 770-443-7616.

Please use the Registration Link to sign up! 

Categories & Classes

Categories include 2D (Classes: painting, drawing, and photography) and 3D (Classes: sculpting/pottery, fiber arts, 3D printing). Limit of one (1) entry per class. Entry fee of $5 per class.

4-H Poster Exhibits will also be accepted. A 4-H poster exhibit is a visual display created by a 4-H member to showcase what they have learned or educate the public about a specific project or topic. This is best suited for 7th-12th grade students participating in 4-H Project Achievement.

Awards

Judges will name division (K-2nd, 3rd-5th, 6th-8th, and 9th-12th) winners in each individual category (painting, sculpting, etc.). These winners will receive ribbons.  One (1) 2D and one (1) 3D piece will be selected as “Best Overall” and will be awarded a $50 Amazon gift card.

Entry Requirements

Overall Contest Rules:

• Only one entry per exhibitor, per class permitted. Ex: A student may enter a photograph and a sculpture, since these are two different classes. A student may not enter two paintings since they are in the same class.
• All entries are to be original works of the exhibitor
• All themes and subject matter must be age-appropriate and “school-safe” or they will be removed from the competition.
• All entries must have been created during the time period of September 1^st, 2025-August 31^st, 2026.
• All entry payments are final and non-refundable.

2D Category Rules

Painting

• All paintings must be hand-done. Use of technology to create, enhance or alter the image is NOT permitted. 
• All entries must be matted. No glass or frames allowed. Matting should not exceed 3”. 
• Size allowance:  Minimum 9" x 12" and maximum 18" x 24". This indicates the finished matted size. Those exceeding the maximum will be disqualified.
• Media used: watercolor, acrylic, oil, or tempera paints. Mixed media is acceptable in this category.
• All items must include on the back: name, school/homeschool, grade, division, and class. (No signatures or identification will be allowed on the front of the artwork.)
• Entries failing to conform to contest rules will be disqualified.

Drawing

• All drawings must be hand-done. Use of technology to create, enhance, or alter the image is NOT permitted. 
• All entries must be matted. No glass or frames allowed. Matting should not exceed 3”. 
• Size allowance:  Minimum 9" x 12" and maximum 18" x 24". This indicates the finished matted size.
• Media used: pencil, chalk, charcoal, pen and ink, or pastels.
• All items must include on the back: name, school/homeschool, grade, division, and class. (No signatures or identification will be allowed on the front of the artwork.)
• Entries failing to conform to contest rules will be disqualified.

Photography

• All photographs must not be edited, altered, or computer enhanced.
• Color and Black-and-White photography is allowed.
• All entries must be matted. No glass or frames allowed. Matting should not exceed 3”. 
• Size allowance: Maximum size of photo is 8" x 10". The matte should not exceed 3”.  
• All items must include on the back: name, school/homeschool, grade, division, and class. (No signatures or identification will be allowed on the front of the artwork.)
• Entries failing to conform to contest rules will be disqualified.

3D Category Rules

Sculpting/Pottery

• All sculpture/pottery must be original work and hand-done. Molds and kits are not allowed.     
• Size allowance:  Maximum size is 24”x 24” x 24”. Maximum weight is 25lbs. Those exceeding the maximum will be disqualified.
• Media used: Clay (traditional or air-dry), resin, wood, metal, or stone.
• All items must include the following on an index card: name, school/homeschool, grade, division, and class. (No signatures or identification will be allowed on the artwork.)
• Entries failing to conform to contest rules will be disqualified.

Fiber Arts

• All fiber art entries must be original work and hand-done.    
• Size allowance:  Maximum size is 24”x 24” x 24”. Those exceeding the maximum will be disqualified.
• Accepted Techniques: Weaving, knitting, crocheting, felting, embroidery, quilting, and macrame.  Jewelry is acceptable in this class.
• Media used: Fabric, yarn, thread, ribbon, natural beads, and rope.  
• All items must include the following on an index card: name, school/homeschool, grade, division, and class. (No signatures or identification will be allowed on the artwork.)
• Entries failing to conform to contest rules will be disqualified.

3D Printing and Design  

• All 3D Printing entries must be original work of the student.
• Students should submit up to two pages (8.5”x11”) documenting their design process. This can include sketches and notations.        
• Size allowance:  Maximum size is 12”x 12” x 12”. Those exceeding the maximum will be disqualified.
• Media used: All common media, such as filaments, are accepted. Colored or painted projects are accepted. The model should not be glued or welded together.   
• All items must include the following on an index card: name, school/homeschool, grade, division, and class. (No signatures or identification will be allowed on the artwork.)
• Entries failing to conform to contest rules will be disqualified.

4-H Poster Exhibit Rules

• Student must be enrolled in Georgia 4-H through their home county.
• Best suited for 7th-12th grade students participating in 4-H Project Achievement.
• All 4-H Poster Exhibits must be original to the student.  
• All 4-H Poster Exhibits must be self-standing for table display. Easels will not be provided. A student may provide their own easel.
• Size allowance:  Maximum size is 36”H x48” W (standard tri-fold poster).
• Theme/subject matter:
  • Educational: Teaches the viewer verifiable information, data, or research around a specific topic like science, healthy living, or agriculture.
  • Promotional: Markets the 4-H program, a specific club event, or a community service initiative with a clear call-to-action.
  • Project/Animal Showcase: Summarizes a youth's personal yearly work, such as photography, non-livestock crafts, or facts about an animal species they study

Full event details, including entry drop-off/pick-up times and location, will be released to registered participants by September 1^st. Please contact our office at 770-443-7616 / paulding4h@uga.edu if you have any questions.  

University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity Institution. If you need reasonable accommodation or language access services, you can contact the Paulding County Extension office at 770-443-7616 | paulding4h@uga.edu at least three weeks before the program date.