In the past few years, Arcus Ecological Association from Bačka Topola organized art contest for primary school students on the occasion of the Earth Day. The contest is aimed at promoting the nature protection, the knowledge about the living beings that surround us, about their habitat, ecology and importance. That is why the contest is addressed to young population, especially the primary school students. In the previous years there were a lot of participants from Serbia, but from abroad as well, and that is how the contest became international. Again, in 2026 we expect participants from all over Serbia and from abroad, too.
Wasp spider (Photo: Sihelnik József)
Theme of 2026 contest is wasp spider (Argiope bruennichi) and its habitat. This species lives in grasslands, meadows, coastal areas, farmland, heathland, woodland and gardens. Losing and changes in habitat affect the survival of wasp spider, which happens mostly because of human activities. They weave their web in tall vegetation and that is why cutting grassland, even during the winter, will affect the survival of the spider. As the case with many spider species, female wasp spiders are much larger than males. The female has black-yellow stripes across its abdomen and this colour and pattern resembles the warning colours of a wasp. This mimicry serves as a defence mechanism, deterring predators who might mistake the spider for a more dangerous species. The male is pale and less colourful. It is an easily recognisable spider, because of the unique colouration, this species is hard to confuse with other species. Their webs are orb-shaped and have single zig-zag pattern of silk originating from the centre going up an down. They are active already in July, but we mostly see them during August and September. The males die after mating. The females produce a large egg sac, which they attach to vegetation near they web. After egg sac laying, the females die, too. The spiderlings hatch in the spring. Wasp spider’s main sources of food are flies, bees, beetles and wasps.
Contest details
Contest type: art – drawing, watercolour, collage, and similar techniques
Categories:
– primary school students 1st – 2nd grade (7 – 8 y. o.)
– primary school students 3rd – 4th grade (9 – 10 y. o.)
– primary school students 5th – 8th grade (11 – 14 y. o.)
Artworks can be created in any technique and size that is suitable for the age of participant. We expect works that show wasp spider and its habitat.
Participants can create and prepare their works on art classes in school or independently from educational institution.
Participation method and deadline
Each participant can submit only one work. It is obligatory to write down on the back of the work the following information:
– title of the work
– name of the author
– author’s age and school grade
– contact information of the author or their parent/guardian (phone number and e-mail obligatory)
– art teacher’s name (if helped with work preparation)
– name of the school that is author attending
Contest participants can submit their application by sending their works by post at the following address: Arcus Ecological Association, 24300 Bačka Topola, Školska 2, Serbia (Ekološko društvo “Arkus”, 24300 Bačka Topola, Školska 2, Srbija).
Deadline for sending the works is 27th March 2026 (Friday).
There is no participation fee. The works can’t be returned to the authors.
Privacy policy
By registering participants agree to be bound by this agreement and accept all its parts. Artists authorize Arcus Ecological Association to process artist’s personal data in accordance with law. Personal data and submitted works will be used in accordance to the purpose of the contest.
Selection, awards and collective exhibition
In each category will be selected three best works by jury composed of Arcus Ecological Association’s members. If there will be any work that stands out, the jury can award special prize. Jury will not take into consideration the works with incomplete information about the work and its author, and the works which will be sent after the deadline. The awards are books suitable for the age of the authors.
All submitted artworks will be exhibited in the Exhibition Hall of Bačka Topola Municipality Culture Centre. Exhibition opening and award ceremony will be held on 20th April 2026 (Monday) at 18:00.
The exhibition will be open to the public from 20th to 24th April 2026.
We are expecting very creative artworks.
S u p p o r t e r s
Local Government of Bačka Topola
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Bačka Topola Municipality Culture Centre