Know a high school artist with a passion for cars? This competition is for them! The 3rd annual Bill Neale Automotive Fine Art Award for High School Students kicked of a call for entries last week. The award, hosted by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA), honors world-renowned Dallas-based automotive artist Bill Neale by recognizing and encouraging excellence in automotive fine art among high school students. Neale passed away in 2021 at the age of 95.
The competition, open to eligible U.S. high school students in grades 10-12, focuses on the traditional fine art mediums Neale so skillfully mastered. Neale was well-known for his posters promoting automotive events, races and road rallies. Entrants are asked to create an original, signed poster depicting a road rally, automotive or racing event.
Submissions will accepted until February 12, 2026. For rules, project brief and legal terms, please visit www.billnealeaward.org. Cash prizes and BLICK Art Materials gift cards will be awarded to first, second and third place winners.
This year the award will continue support arts education with a donation to the Texas Cultural Trust Art Box project. It will be used to support Hunt ISD elementary students impacted by the devastating July 4th, 2025, flooding in Central Texas.
"Our hearts go out to those impacted by the recent historic flooding in Texas," said Leslie Neale, Bill Neale’s Daughter/Terlingua Racing Team. "Artistic expression can help in the healing process and my dad would be honored that our donation to the Texas Cultural Trust Art Box Project is helping to provide creative support for elementary students in a community in the process of rebuilding."
“Thank you to the Bill Neale Automotive Fine Art Award for High School Students for their generous sponsorship of the Texas Cultural Trust’s Art Box program,” said Heidi Marquez Smith, CEO for TXCT. “Your support empowers young artists and helps to inspire self-expression and imagination of children who have little to no access to creative resources.”
The award is sponsored by BLICK Art Materials, The Carroll Shelby Foundation, Terlingua Racing Team and the Texas Auto Writers Association.
- BLICK Gives Back: https://www.dickblick.com/about-blick/gives-back
- The Carroll Shelby Foundation: https://foundation.shelby.com
- Terlingua Racing Team: https://terlinguaracingteam.com
- Texas Auto Writers Association: https://texasautowriters.org/
The CarPro's Amy Plemons, a TAWA member, is chair of the award.