Student Artist Poster Contest Winners

Friends of the Chicago River celebrates the creativity of Chicago-area students in inspiring action to improve our rivers and communities by creating a Litter Free Chicago-Calumet River system. Sponsored by WM, our Chicago River Day Student Poster Contest welcomed submissions of original artwork from Chicago-area elementary and high school students.

winning posters here

Participants were asked to engage an audience on the issues of litter reduction, individual or community action, and ways to improve our rivers. Students participating in the contest were separated into three groups based on age, with one winner selected from each age group.

Friends is inspired by the artistic and thoughtful work of all participating student-artists and extends sincere congratulations to our winners.

Contest winners are in category ages 8-12, 13-15, and 16-18. View the winning posters here.

Ages 8 – 12:

  • Fiona R., Ebinger Elementary School, Winner
  • Eleanor M., Ebinger Elementary School, Honorable Mention
  • Muhammad A., Ebinger Elementary School, Honorable Mention

Ages 13 – 15:

  • Emmalie W., Ebinger Elementary School, Winner
  • Kelsey D., Ebinger Elementary School, Honorable Mention
  • Shea K., Ebinger Elementary School, Honorable Mention

Ages 16 – 18:

  • Malik Crowder, Francis W. Parker School, Winner
  • Graysen P. and Mariya M., Francis W. Parker School, Honorable Mention
  • Dylan W. and Nathan P., Francis W. Parker School, Honorable Mention

The posters from the winners and honorable mentions will be on display at the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum for the remainder of the 2025 season. The Bridgehouse Museum, which is available for private rentals, is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday through the fall.

Participating schools are part of Friends' Chicago River Schools Network (CRSN), a program that provides K-12 teachers the training and personalized assistance they need to immerse their students in the turbulent history, evolving ecology, and improving health of the Chicago-Calumet River system.

Since 1996, the CRSN has reached nearly half a million students throughout the region, and public schools represent 90% of CRSN participants with more than 50% from low-income families.