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Seed Art Contest

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Seed Art Contest​

Make cool art from seeds and we'll show it off at the Dunn County Fair!

Seed art is a mosaic made with all kinds of seeds on a flat surface. You can make your art at home or at the museum. (We'll have some limited supplies for you, and plenty of space to work.)

 

Your submission should:

  • Be your own original design.

  • ​Be any size or shape, but not more than 11 inches on any side.

  • Be 2-dimensional.

  • Have picture-hanging hardware mounted on the back.

  • Be turned in to the Rassbach Museum before July 18.

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Register online, or in-person at the Rassbach Museum. You can submit multiple entries. Please read the complete rules, guidelines and FAQs below.​

All the details

Important dates 

  • Turn in your art at the Rassbach Museum for museum exhibit: NO later than July 1, 2026

  • Judging will be held on: Saturday, July 18 by Museum Board of Directors 

  • Dates at the Fair: July 22-26th 

  • Art can be picked up at the museum between July 28 and 31st. Any art not picked up will be disposed of. 

 

Who can participate 

Any resident of Dunn County can submit an entry. Categories are: 

  • Youth (10 and younger) 

  • Young Adult (11-17) 

  • Adult (18+) 

 

Size 

Submissions must not exceed 11 inches on each side. If your art is cut out, it must fit inside an 11x11 inch square. Your piece must be 2 dimensional, and hang from either a string or hook on the back.

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Themes 

You must pick from one of the following themes to enter: 

  • Dunn County Critters(animals that are native to our area) or Natural Landscapes 

  • Historic Scenes and People of Dunn County 

  • Still life or geometric 

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Allowed materials 

Seeds, stems, heads or panicles, and fruiting bodies or structures of oats, wheat, quinoa, barley, flax, rye, all corn types, amaranth, canola, lentils, soybeans, edible field beans, sunflowers, common buckwheat, field peas, millets, safflower, sorghum, sugar beet, sudan grass, common forage grasses (timothy, bluegrass, bromegrass and grasses, etc.), clovers, alfalfa, wild rice and all poppy seeds, as well as yellow mustard seed. 

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Paint and dye are not permitted. 

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How entries are judged 

Entries are not judged on a numeric scale. Here are some criteria that judges will consider:

  • Originality 

  • Innovative use of materials, or unique materials used 

  • Complexity of design 

  • Use of natural colors and textures 

  • Neatness 

  • Identification of all materials used. 

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Entries are eligible to win if they follow all the rules. The decisions of the judges are final. 

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Official Rules 

  1. Open to any resident of Dunn County, Wisconsin. 

  2. Entries. 

    • By this date: Entry deadline. 

    • Limited to one entry per individual and group categories. 

  3. Exhibit must be the work of the exhibitor(s). NO KITS allowed. 

  4. Exhibit delivery, judging, and pick-up. 

    • Entry must be brought to the Rassbach Museum during open hours by JULY 1. 

    • Entries will be on exhibit from July 2 - 18. 

    • Judging will be on July 18 by Museum board/staff 

    • Winners will be announced at the Dunn County FaPick-up:Art can be picked up at the museum between July 28 and 31st. Any art not picked up will be disposed of. 

  5. Materials: Seeds, stems, heads or panicles, and fruiting bodies or structures of oats, wheat, quinoa, barley, flax, rye, all corn types, amaranth, canola, lentils, soybeans, edible field beans, sunflowers, common buckwheat, field peas, millets, safflower, sorghum, sugar beet, sudan grass, common forage grasses (timothy, bluegrass, bromegrass and grasses, etc.), clovers, alfalfa, wild rice and all poppy seeds, as well as yellow mustard seed. 

  6. Entries must pick one theme and one age category.

  7. Individuals can submit more than one entry.

Frequently asked questions 

1. What should I glue my seeds/beans onto? 

a. We recommend using a thin craft plywood, or a canvas panel. It must be sturdy enough to stand on its own when covered with seeds 

2. What should I use for glue? 

a. We recommend Elmer’s Glue - All, as it is strong and dries clear. It is often the preferred adhesive for crop artists. Avoid hot glue as it sets too quickly and usually dries cloudy. 3. Does my piece have to be 11x11 inches? 

a. No. Your piece can be any size UP TO 11 x 11 inches. We recommend starting a bit smaller for your first project, as it can take a lot of seed and time to fill even a small board/canvas 4. Can I paint or color the seeds in any way to get the color just right? 

a. No. You must use the natural color of the seeds to achieve your desired colors. 

5. How do I “Get Started”? 

a. Once you have purchased your canvas/panel, decide what your subject will be. 

b. You can trace your image/pattern onto your panel/canvas, so that you are “filling in the lines” with your seeds/beans. 

i. This can be done free hand, or you can use carbon paper to trace your image and transfer it directly on to your panel/Board 

ii. Remember NO KITS - this means we ask you not to use something pre purchased, and as well as not taking something like a coloring page and gluing it to a board. 

c. Once your image is on the board, take a moment to think about what seeds/beans could most effectively bring your image to life? Going to the grocery and looking at the seeds/beans is a great way to get inspiration! 

d. Using toothpicks is a great way to move your seeds/beans on your board/panel and get them to go where you would like. Using your fingers quickly leads to seed-covered fingers, and mixing seeds/colors in places you may not want to.

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