Welcome to the 2027
13th Annual Repurposed
DooDad Sculpture Competition!
THEME: YELLOW
The Repurposed Doodad Sculpture Competition challenges students to repurpose specific items or “doodads” to create an artistic expression of a theme. In so doing, students research and immerse themselves in some aspect of the theme. The doodads are common items that are typically discarded. Students learn about these items in the context of their impact on the environment – both as utilization of scarce resources and as contributors to waste. The doodads for this year’s competition are Yellow Riboon (supplied by the DooDad Commitee) and yellow objects and materials.
DOODAD: YELLOW RIBBON
This year’s theme, Yellow: The Sunshine State. What Does Florida Mean to You?, invites students to explore Florida through a single color. Inspired by a giant roll of yellow ribbon generously donated by the Florida State Fair, this is the first DooDad competition to challenge artists to work in a monochromatic palette. Using some of that same yellow ribbon and any other repurposed yellow materials, students are encouraged to discover how creativity can flourish within a single hue, capturing Florida’s sunshine, wildlife, landscapes, memories, culture, or environmental future in imaginative and unexpected ways.
How to Enter:
1- Read our 2027 Guidelines
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DOWNLOAD the Full 2027 Guidelines HERE!
WHO IS ELIGIBLE: Sculptures are created by K-12 student(s) attending a public, charter, private or home school within Hillsborough County. |
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MATERIALS for the DooDad:
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2- Research the theme!
This year’s theme is Yellow: The Sunshine State. What does Florida mean to you?, which ecourages students to reflect upon Florida’s identity and future using only yellow repurposed objects, along with this year’s required Doodad material of yellow ribbon fabric. Students are invited to explore questions such as:
- What makes Florida unique to them?
- How does sunshine shape our environment, culture, and imagination?
- What is an environmental message about protecting Florida’s natural beauty?
The Doodad competition encourages students to think like artists, inventors, and environmental stewards. By turning discarded materials into imaginative sculptures, young creators discover how art can inspire new ways of thinking about our world and the future of Florida. We invite teachers, parents, and students to join this creative challenge and help transform ordinary yellow objects into extraordinary works of art.
3- Make Your DooDad!
| ACCEPTED | NOT ACCEPTED |
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Only yellow repurposed objects and/or yellow paint are used, including the incorporation of this year’s yellow ribbon fabric. Other non-yellow materials may be used for stuffing or underlying support but will not be visible. |
Non-yellow materials or paint are visible, and no yellow ribbon fabric is incorporated. |
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Any amount of the yellow ribbon fabric may be incorporated, and some part of the fabric must remain visible. |
No yellow ribbon fabric was used and/or visible. |
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All repurposed objects used must be securely attached and entire sculpture must be stable and strong. Be aware that hot glue alone may not be sufficient to securely attach materials. |
Repurposed objects are loose and/or falling off and sculpture is falling apart and/or falls over. |
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Sculptures must be freestanding on a table, the floor or be ready to hang. All sculptures must weigh no more than 20 pounds and be no larger than approximately 30 inches deep by 36 inches wide by 36 inches tall. Hanging sculptures must include some type of wire, rope, or chain from which to hang. |
Sculptures that exceed size and/or weight guidelines, and/or hanging sculptures that provide no suitable material from which to hang. |
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Individual or group work may be submitted, and MAJORITY of design and construction must be completed by student(s). Groups may include up to 10 students, and a class may have multiple groups of students submitting different sculptures. |
Majority of design and construction of sculpture completed by teacher or other adult(s). Group includes more than 10 students. |
| Sculpture must relate to the theme and respects the adopted Copyright & Plagiarism guidelines*. |
Sculpture DOESN’T relate to theme and/or disrespects adopted Copyright & Plagiarism guidelines*. |
| Artist statement must answer 1) How does your sculpture represent your research about the theme? and/or 2) How has your thinking changed about the connection between creating with unconventional art materials and the environment? | Artist statement doesn’t address either question, and/or only explains the process and procedures used to create the sculpture. |
| Entries and video artist statements must be uploaded using Doodad’s online competition platform. | Online entry form was NOT completed for a submitted sculpture. |
4- Photograph your DooDad:
Watch the video below or click this link to read more about photographing your DooDad! We are excitied to see what you’ve made!
5- Write & Record an Artists statement-
The DooDad Competition went online for judging in 2022. Because of this, it is important to showcase your work with quality photos and a video! Take a peek at some winning videos for a good idea of what’s needed: 2023 -2024 Videos!
For this years competition you will need to provide 4 photos, a written Artists Statement and a video Artists Statement. Read the directions below and then watch previous winners videos for inspiration in creating your Artist’s Statement video.
Let’s write your Artist Statement:
For the DooDad competition your written Artist Statement MUST answer:
1) How your sculpture represents your research about the theme? and/or
2) How has your thinking changed about the connection between creating with unconventional art materials and the environment?
Let’s record your Artist Statement:
Create a short video, no more than 1 minute long, discussing your DooDad. Tell us about your process, about how you depicted WATER, and about the materials you used when creating you DooDad.
The video should be no longer than 1 minute.
MUST BE Shot in a HORIZONTAL format.
Files must be in one of the following formats, and must include the filename extension : .mov .mp4 .mpg .mpeg .avi .wmv
6- Have your Students + Parents sign Release Forms
All student participants in the Annual Repurposed Doodad Sculpture Competition must have a signed release form from their parents or guardians before their sculptures can be officially entered. This ensures we have the necessary permissions to showcase their creative work. Thank you for your cooperation in making this event a success!
Click HERE to download the form.
And Finally: Enter your DooDad by January 8th!
You’ve created a beautiful DooDad and are ready to enter the competition. Once Entry begins on Nov. 1, 2026 click the ENTER YOUR DOODAD link to share your artistic vision with us! You can revisit the tabs above for additional suggestions on how to photograph your DooDad, create your Video Artist Statement, sign up for a Gmail account, and finally enter your DooDad in the competition!
Days until Entry Deadline!!
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Getting Involved:
Are you a Student Artist?
We know how exciting, but also how daunting, starting a new project can be! Visit our theme page for information on this years theme : YELLOW – The Sunshine State, and this years DooDads: YELLOW RIBBON FABRIC and YELLOW OBJECTS. We discuss the impact of these resources on our enviorment, and offer suggestions for different sculpting methods!
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!