The County of San Luis Obispo Department of Airports has announced the return of the Wings Over SLO CAL 2027 calendar contest, inviting local students in grades K-12 to submit original drawings or paintings that celebrate aviation and its connection to the region. Now in its second year, the contest aims to spark creativity while introducing young artists to career possibilities in aviation.
Entries must be postmarked by September 14, 2026, to be considered. All students—whether enrolled in public, private, or homeschool programs—are eligible to participate.
Selected artworks will be featured in the Airport's 2027 Wings Over SLO CAL calendar. Supervisor Dawn Ortiz-Legg praised the initiative, saying there are few better ways to celebrate local youth than by giving them a canvas to imagine the future of flight.
"Last year's entries showcased incredible creativity, and I am excited to see how our students envision Wings Over SLO CAL this year," she said. "My hope is that this contest encourages young artists to dream big, explore new possibilities, and let their imaginations take flight." Courtney Johnson, Director of Airports, emphasized the broader purpose of the contest.
"Wings Over SLO CAL celebrates the creativity and imagination of our community's young people while introducing them to the possibilities within aviation," Johnson said. "Whether students dream of becoming pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, or innovators we haven't imagined yet, this contest encourages them to explore what's possible and see themselves as part of the future of aviation." For more information on contest rules, entry details, and how to submit artwork, interested parties are encouraged to visit the Department of Airports' website.