The Annual Repurposed DooDad Competition
DISCOVER THE CREATIVITY OF HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY’S YOUNG ARTISTS
The DooDad Sculpture Competition inspires K–12 students across Hillsborough County to think creatively, build sustainably, and transform everyday discarded materials into imaginative works of art.
Hosted by the all-volunteer DooDad Committee of Tampa Regional Artists, this annual program challenges students to create original three-dimensional sculptures from repurposed objects while exploring environmental themes and innovation.
Now in its 13th year, DooDad has inspired thousands of student artists and awarded more than $54,000 in prizes for creativity, ingenuity, and environmental awareness.
Welcome to the 13th annual
Repurposed DooDad Sculpture Competition!
Florida is more than sunshine and sandy beaches. It’s a place of remarkable natural beauty, diverse wildlife, vibrant communities, and countless personal stories. From quiet springs and winding rivers to bustling cities, orange groves, mangrove forests, neighborhood parks, and afternoon thunderstorms, every student experiences Florida in their own unique way.
This year’s DooDad theme, Yellow: The Sunshine State. What Does Florida Mean to You?, invites students to explore their own connection to the place they call home. Using only yellow repurposed objects and this year’s required material~ yellow ribbon fabric, students will transform everyday items into original works of art that celebrate, question, or reimagine Florida.
Whether your sculpture celebrates Florida’s wildlife, reflects its history, highlights a favorite memory, or shares a vision for the future, we encourage you to think creatively, experiment boldly, and discover the extraordinary hidden within ordinary objects.
We can’t wait to see how you bring the Sunshine State to life, and answer the question:
YELLOW
The Sunshine State.
What Does Florida Mean to You?
Getting Involved:
Are you a Student Artist?
Take a peek at our Wrap Up 2026 Video here to see how the 2026 competition turned out and get a preview of our 2027 Theme and DooDad!
Are you a Teacher or Student Group Organizer?
We know fitting a new project into your planning can be tough, so we’ve compiled resources to help make the job a little easier on you! Please visit our teaching resources page for more information about how the DooDad competition can help you enhance your Art Program and excite your students!
Would you like to Sponsor DooDads?
We invite you or your company to become a sponsor of the Annual Repurposed DooDad Sculpture Competition and help support art activities for students within Hillsborough County. Sponsorships and donations to the DooDad competition are made through Tampa Realistic Artists which is a 501(c)(3) tax-deductible charity #CH36880.
Please visit our SPONSORS page for more information or to get in touch with Kathy Durdin directly at 813-220-5800 .
Would you like to Volunteer?
The DooDad Competition could not exisist without the help of a great numebr of volunteers who offer up their time and energy each year. If you are interested in donating time please get in touch here. We’d love to have you as a part of our DooDad team!
View the 2026 Sculptures!
ONLINE: View the 2026 Artist Statement Videos!
After successful exhibitions at The Florida State Fair and Gasparilla Fine Art Festival we are delighted to share our collection of Award Winners!
Please visit our Gallery page to view all the stunning work created by Hillsborough County Students.
EXHIBITION: County Center -Feb. 17 - March 26, 2026
Eleven of the 2026 competition’s smaller sculptures will be featured in a display case in the lobby of Hillsborough County Center in downtown Tampa.
County Center 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, FL 33602. Hours Monday to Friday 8 AM to 5 PM
EXHIBITION: Wild Space Gallery - March 27-28, 2026
Celebrate the creativity of our Student Artists with a special themed exhibition of this year’s bird sculptures! Presented in partnership with Wild Space Gallery, a program of the Florida Wildlife Foundation, these feathered works will be on display March 27–28. Join us Saturday, March 28 from 4:00–6:00 PM for the closing reception.
Thank you to our 2026 SPONSORS!
