‘Words’ and ‘pictures’ are only a couple of simple terms. The same goes for ‘land,’ ‘air,’ and ‘water.’ It’s just basic vocabulary, right? Wrong.
Naisha Randhar and Carolyn Mitchell, both seniors at The Hockaday School, know that a true understanding of art and the environment means looking beyond the basics.
The pair have created the Art for Earth contest to underscore this point while shining a spotlight on young artists from around Dallas-Fort Worth. The idea was born during Randhar’s term as Youth Poet Laureate of Dallas.
“There is always some kind of ‘poet laureate project’ that you leave behind,” said Randhar. “I started planning a competition. I also started thinking about people I know who are artistic, as well, and I thought of Carolyn.”
Complementing Randhar’s gift for poetry, Mitchell added to the project a talent for visual arts and mentoring.
“I run a club where we go to a local elementary school and engage the children in arts-related activities,” Mitchell said. “I thought Naisha’s idea was a really cool way to bring awareness to the fact that students in Dallas can participate in the arts and benefit from it.”
Once officially a team, the pair contemplated a theme for their budding competition. With Mitchell sharing in her friend’s hope to “make the world better for people who come after us,” the choice was clear and Art for Earth was born.
On April 1, the inaugural Art for Earth competition kicked off with a call for short film and poetry submissions from DFW teen artists on a theme of environmental justice and dignity.
The competition has a September 30 deadline. October will represent a time of viewing, reading, and deliberation for Randhar, Mitchell, and their expert judges. The esteemed panel includes María Ramos Pacheco, journalist from The Dallas Morning News; Tim Brys, educator and scientist from the Perot Museum; and Black Ceasar, the current Dallas Poet Laureate.
On November 10, almost exactly a year from Randhar’s eco-friendly light bulb moment, the Dallas Public Library will host the 2026 Art for Earth Competition Final Ceremony. All finalists’ entries will be showcased, and category winners will each receive a $100 honorarium. The founders of Art for Earth hope that this innovative new contest continues for years to come.
“I think I can speak for both of us when I say that we definitely hope that this carries on,” Mitchell said. “It’s been wonderful to inspire young Dallas artists like ourselves.”
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