The European Space Agency (ESA), through its ESA Kids, program, is organizing the Space Gallery Competition. The aim of this competition is to showcase young people’s artwork on a space-related theme. Entries can take various forms (drawings, paintings, models, etc.) to give free expression to the imagination and creativity of young artists. Each month, a new theme is selected by the ESA. For the December and January edition, the ESA has chosen “Pixel Art” as the theme.
The Art of the Pixel
In December, the Astro Pi project celebrates its 10th anniversary, and guess what? Our new French astronaut Sophie Adenot is this year’s ambassador. In this project, students use codes to represent pixelated images on the mini-computers of the International Space Station (ISS), and it is even possible to calculate the speed of the ISS from photos taken by these Astro Pi computers. To celebrate this anniversary, ESA invites you to create your own pixelated image. Perhaps you will bring the pixel animals to life or even venture into the world of computing to discover the realm of pixels? So grab your computer, your art supplies… and get creative.
The ESA will select the winners of the contest, whose works will be displayed in the “Paxi Space Gallery” and who will receive a special prize!
How to participate?
To participate in the winter contest, your creations must be sent to ESA before January 31, 2026. You can submit them directly on the contest page by clicking on this link, or you can send them by postal mail to: ESA Education, ESTEC, Keplerlaan 1, PO Box 299 NL-2200 AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands.
Participants must be under 18 years old. Please note that entries sent by postal mail will not be returned, and you will not receive confirmation of receipt. Selected participants will be contacted by ESA.
Good luck to everyone! We can’t wait to see your creations!
