ooh ART
High School Billboard Competition
The Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, in partnership with DSW Signs, is excited to invite your students to participate in the 2026 OOH ART! Billboard Competition—a regional favorite with a new creative twist. Many across Southeast Missouri have seen our billboards featuring student artwork. This year, in order to include more students and teachers, we transformed the project into a micro-literary challenge, blending visual design with the power of words.
The Challenge
Students in grades 9–12 were invited to create an original billboard design built around no more than 21 words. The goal was to convey a clear, compelling message—bold, poetic, funny, moving, or thought-provoking.
The Winners
The Final Four designs will be displayed on digital billboards across Southeast Missouri and the winning entry will be produced as a full printed billboard prominently displayed in the heart of Cape Girardeau!
Now we need your help!
Follow the voting schedule below to help us crown the oohART Champion!
PLEASE ONLY VOTE ONCE ON EACH MATCHUP!
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PLEASE ONLY VOTE ONCE ON EACH MATCHUP! -
Round One Voting
Begins: Monday, March 2nd at 2:00 PM
Ends: Tuesday, March 3rd at 2:00 PM
WINNER: Love by Mallory Ricketts with 21 votes
WINNER: Your Voice Matters by Desiree with 20 votes
WINNER: Art of Words by Katie Rives with 25 votes
WINNER: Future is Calling by Veronique with 15 votes
WINNER: No Fear by Tahara James with 18 votes
Please give a round of applause to the runners up!
Round Two Voting
Begins: Wednesday, March 4th at 2:00 PM
Ends: Thursday, March 5th at 2:00 PM
WINNER: Shape and Size by Sarah Jordan with 46 votes
WINNER: Musicians Make A Difference by Chloe Green with 57 votes
WINNER: Have Fun by Chloe Troutt with 121 votes
WINNER: Be Kind by Brooklyn Barks with 62 votes
Please give a round of applause to the runners up!
Round Three Voting
Begins: Friday, March 6th at 2:00 PM
Ends: Saturday, March 7th at 2:00 PM
Round Four Voting
Begins: Monday, March 9th at 2:00 PM
Ends: Tuesday, March 10th at 2:00 PM
Round Five Voting
Begins: Wednesday, March 11th at 2:00 PM
Ends: Thursday, March 12th at 2:00 PM
Round Six Voting
Begins: Friday, March 13th at 2:00 PM
Ends: Saturday, March 14th at 2:00 PM
FINAL ROUND Voting
Begins: Monday, March 16th at 2:00 PM
Ends: Wednesday, March 18th at 2:00 PM
Winner announced
on Friday, March 20th!
Thank You to Our Sponsor
Previous Winners
2025 Winner: "Watercolor Still Life" by Havyn Henry
2024 Winner: "Push & Pull" by Kaleigh Fisher
2023 Winner: "Counting Sheep" by Caitlin Hill