Thank You for Your Submissions!
Your Toronto Zoo would like to sincerely thank all the talented students who submitted their designs for the 2026 Rain Barrel Art Project. Your creativity and dedication to supporting environmental initiatives are truly appreciated.
Announcing Our Selected Artists!
We’re thrilled to announce the selected designs for the 2026 Rain Barrel Art Project! These talented students will now bring their concepts to life on rain barrels provided by Your Toronto Zoo.
Winning Designs and Schools:
- Colours of Survival – Lester B. Pearson C.I.
- Reflections of Canada – Mary Ward Catholic Seconday School
- Evolution – Monseigneur Jamot
- Fury & Purity – Fancis Libermann
- Turtle-y Awesome – R.S. McLaughlin C.U.Z.
- One of A Kind – Dr. Denison Secondary School
- Tiger of the Orchid Peaks – Northen Secondary School
- Heart of Canada – West Niagara Secondary
- Harmony of Time – Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts
- Phantom Jellyfish – Lester B. Pearson C.I.
- Strength of the Rhino – Lester B. Pearson C.I.
- The Colour of Life – Lester B. Pearson C.I.
- Patterns – St. Robert Catholic High School
- A Birds Paradise – St. Robert Catholic High School
- Red Panda Paradise – St. Brother Andre Catholic High School
- Every Piece Matters – Archbishop Denis O'Connor CHS
- J. Octavius – St. Elizabeth CHS
- Totems of the Jungle - Eastdale C.V.I.
- Shapes of the Wild – Unionville High School
- Blossoming Beauty Through Strength – Ajax High School
- A Myriad of Animals – Fenelon Falls Secondary School
- Fur and Feathers – St. John's Kilmarnock
- Indian Peafowl – Holy Trinity School
- Every Drop Saves a Life – St. Robert Catholic High School
- Waddle of Penguins – St. Robert Catholic High School
- Jelly Light – Eastdale C.V.I.
- The View from A Dew Drop – Heart Lake Secondary School
- The Hunted - Forest – Mayfield Seconday School
- Wild About the Future – Francis Libermann Catholic High School
- Lavender Rain from the Crescent Moon - Agincourt C.I.
Important for Selected Artists:
If your design was chosen, please keep an eye out for an email from the Zoo confirming your selection and providing next steps. Be sure to check your junk or spam folders to ensure you don’t miss any important information.
Congratulations to all the selected artists! We can’t wait to see your designs come to life.
About the Contest
Interested artists - high school students in Grades 9–12 - submitted their designs for judging. Our panel has selected 30 winning designs to be brought to life on rain barrels provided by your Toronto Zoo. Once completed, these barrels will be displayed at the Zoo and later auctioned by the Toronto Zoo Wildlife Conservancy, the official fundraising partner of your Toronto Zoo.
Proceeds from the auction will support climate change action and vital conservation efforts at your Toronto Zoo.
Plus! Participating artists have the chance to win some incredible prizes:
- An art tablet + a $1,000 cheque to the art department of the winning student’s school + a Wild Encounter experience for four people
- A half-day job shadow with Exhibit Design + a one-of-a-kind piece of animal artwork
- A one-hour painting session with Bethany Aiken + an eco-friendly retail bag + a Platinum Individual Membership to your Toronto Zoo
- (Staff Favourite submission) - a Wild Encounter experience for four people
Prizes are subject to availability and may be substituted if necessary.
What Happens Next?
Selected artists are invited to an Artist Workshop and Barrel Pick-Up Day at the Zoo on January 4, 2026. From there, they will have until early March to paint their barrels and return them for display and auction.
* The artist is responsible for supplying their own mediums to paint & seal their barrel. We will suggest which paints to use.
Auction and Event Details
- All finished barrels will be displayed at your Toronto Zoo for public viewing from March 13 to April 23, 2026.
- Beginning April 9, 2026, the barrels will be auctioned online, with bidding open until April 23, 2026.
- The funds raised from the auction will support climate change and sustainability initiatives at your Zoo.
- Artists and their families will be invited to a special reception at the Zoo on April 24, 2026, to celebrate the project and its impact.
Project Timeline
Entry Period: September 1, 2025 – December 6, 2025Selection Period: December 8, 2025 – December 11, 2025Artist Selection Announcement: December 12, 2025- Artist Workshop and Barrel Pick Up: January 4, 2026, 10:00am – Noon @ your Toronto Zoo
- Painting Period: January 4, 2026 – March 7, 2026
- Rain Barrel Drop-Off: March 7 & 8, 2026, 11:00am – 4:00pm @ your Toronto Zoo administration building
- Display Period: March 13, 2026 – April 23, 2026
- Online Auction: April 9, 2026 – April 23, 2026
- Artist Reception: April 24, 2026, 5:00pm @ your Toronto Zoo
2024/25 Inaugural Season Barrels
Thank you for being part of this exciting second year of the Rain Barrel Art Project. We can’t wait to see these designs come to life and share them with our community!
Your Toronto Zoo strives to provide experience and events that are accessible to all guests. Accommodation requests by guests for experiences and events are always welcome and every effort will be made to provide optimal support for the needs of guests with disabilities.
*Please note all events subject to change without notice.