As students head back to school this fall, California Water Service is celebrating young artists from Chico, the Palos Verdes Peninsula, San Mateo, Visalia, and Westlake Village whose creativity helped bring the value of water to life through its annual Splash of Creativity art competition.
The 10 winning submissions were created by student artists in grades K-8 within Cal Water service areas across the state. Using crayons, markers, colored pencils, and paint, students illustrated colorful ocean landscapes, animals, and marine life to highlight the importance of caring for water. Splash of Creativity, formerly known as the H2O Challenge’s Individual Challenge, is designed to foster a deeper understanding of water issues while offering students an opportunity to gain recognition for their artistic talents.
“We are thrilled to see such a high level of creativity and dedication from students across California,” said Ken Jenkins, Vice President, Water Resources Planning and Sustainability. “The artwork submitted this year showcases the passion and commitment of our young artists to preserving and valuing our water resources.”
The winners of this year’s competition are:
Grades K-2
- Grand Prize in Art: Paige, San Mateo—Untitled
- Excellence in Art: Elka, Chico—Under the Surface
Grades 3-5
- Grand Prize in Art: Eliza, Chico—A Beautiful Bummer
- Excellence in Art: Addison, Visalia—Protect Our Water
- Special Recognition: Emilia, San Mateo—Untitled
- Honorable Mention: Adele, Chico—Reaching Out to Help
Grades 6-8
- Grand Prize in Art: Dagny, Palos Verdes Estates—Respect Water (2026)
- Excellence in Art: Stella, Rancho Palos Verdes—Untitled
- Special Recognition: Tavis, Rancho Palos Verdes—All from a Drop
- Honorable Mention: Chloe, Westlake Village—A Heartfelt Reflection
The Tap Into Learning program, a collaboration between Cal Water and DoGoodery, continues to engage students through various educational activities, including Aqua Adventures classroom field trips, Water Smart Grants, and the H2Oath initiative. For more information about Tap Into Learning, including how students in Cal Water’s service areas may enter the 2027 competition, visit https://tapintolearning.calwater.com.
