2025 Visionarios Suggested Activities

HOW DO I MAKE ART ABOUT A WISH?

This year’s Visionarios theme asks that students respond to the prompt THE ART OF THE WISH. What does a wish mean to you? Is it a dream of adventure, a vision of a better world, or a hope for the future? Through this contest, participants are invited to explore and express their unique interpretation of a “wish”—whether it’s personal, whimsical, or universal.. We want to know your students’ perception of a wish whether it be through their own personal experiences, their community’s history, or an even broader look at the world.

The subject matter of the artwork and accompanying essay should reflect or define the student’s vision.

SUGGESTED INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Please see the list of prompts and links below to spark ideas for student work:

Grades 1-5

Here are some age-appropriate prompts for 1st through 5th to inspire their creativity for the contest:

“If you could have one magical wish, what would it be? Draw your wish coming true!”
Example: Wishing for a castle made of candy or a treehouse that reaches the stars.
“Draw yourself making a wish on a star. What do you hope for?”
Example: A picture of themselves with a glowing star and their dream appearing in the sky.
“If you could have any pet in the world, what would you wish for?”
Example: A rainbow-colored unicorn, a dinosaur best friend, or a talking puppy.
“What would you wish for to make someone else happy?”
Example: Giving their family a big surprise, like a vacation or a house full of puppies.
“If you could wish for a superpower, what would it be? Draw yourself using it!”
Example: Flying through the clouds, turning invisible, or growing flowers everywhere they step.
“What does it feel like to make a wish?”
Example: Drawing themselves with closed eyes and glowing light or a shooting star in the background.
“Draw a wish that could make the world a better place.”
Example: A wish for no pollution, peace among all people, or homes for every animal.

These prompts encourage a mix of personal dreams, imagination, and thoughtful wishes to inspire art from younger to older elementary students!

Grades 6-8

“If you could make one wish to change the world, what would it be?”
Example: A wish for world peace, clean oceans, or ending hunger.
“Imagine you found a hidden treasure that grants one wish. What would you wish for, and what happens next?”
Example: Wishing for the ability to talk to animals or explore hidden dimensions.
“What would your dream future look like if your wishes came true?”
Example: A futuristic city powered by kindness or a world where everyone can fly.
“Draw a magical being or creature that grants wishes. What do they look like, and how do they make wishes come true?”
Example: A glowing phoenix, a wise old tree, or a mysterious water spirit.
“If you could wish for one amazing superpower, what would it be, and how would you use it?”
Example: Teleporting to see the world or creating food for everyone with a snap of their fingers.
“Imagine a place where wishes are born. What does it look like?”
Example: A glittering cloud palace, a glowing forest, or an endless sea of stars.
“If you could bring one story, book, or movie to life through a wish, what would it be? Draw yourself in that world.”
Example: Living in a magical kingdom or exploring a galactic spaceship.
“What would it feel like if all your wishes came true at once?”
Example: A vibrant, chaotic scene of dreams colliding, like a flying car over a candy forest.
“Draw the moment of making a wish. How does it look, sound, or feel?”
Example: A glowing fountain, swirling stars, or a burst of light and colors.
“If you could wish for something to help someone else, what would it be, and how would it change their life?”
Example: Building a school for kids in need or creating a cure for a disease.

These prompts encourage middle schoolers to blend personal aspirations, creativity, and deeper thoughtfulness in their artwork!

Art I-IV (High School)

“If you could make a wish that would change the course of history, what would it be, and how would the world look today?”
Example: A wish for a world without war or for the preservation of endangered cultures.
“Imagine a world where every wish had a cost. What would you wish for, knowing the price you’d have to pay?”
Example: Exploring themes of sacrifice, hope, and consequence in a visually dynamic piece.
“If you could bring your wildest dream to life through a wish, what would it look like?”
Example: A futuristic city of innovation, a peaceful utopia, or an otherworldly landscape.
“Create an abstract representation of what a ‘wish’ feels like to you.”
Example: Using color, shape, and texture to convey longing, hope, or fulfillment.
“If you had one wish to improve the world, what would it be, and how would it transform society?”
Example: Imagining a world powered by renewable energy, global unity, or universal education.
“Imagine a place where wishes are stored, waiting to come true. What does it look like?”
Example: A labyrinth of glowing orbs, a cosmic library, or a mystical field of flowers.
“What if your wish could bring someone back or connect you to someone you’ve lost? What would you draw?”
Example: A touching tribute to family, ancestors, or historical figures.
“If you could give the gift of a wish to someone else, who would it be, and what would you wish for them?”
Example: A wish for a friend’s success, a loved one’s happiness, or a stranger’s well-being.
“Visualize the power of a wish gone wrong. What happens when wishes take an unexpected turn?”
Example: A dystopian twist on a dream, exploring the darker side of unfulfilled hopes.
“Imagine a future where technology or magic makes every wish possible. What does this world look like?”
Example: A society built on limitless possibilities or grappling with the chaos of unchecked desires.

These prompts encourage high school students to dig deeper into their imaginations, explore complex themes, and express their unique perspectives on hope, dreams, and the human condition.

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