Winners Announced For The 2026 “Picturing A Better Tomorrow” Art Contest

Nearly 100 TK-6 grade students from Orange County Power Authority member cities showcased their creativity and vision for a greener future

IRVINE, Calif. (April 1, 2026) – The Orange County Power Authority (OCPA) announced the winners of its second “Picturing a Better Tomorrow” art contest, designed to inspire a brighter, greener future. The contest invited students in grades TK-6 to illustrate their vision of a cleaner, more sustainable future through original artwork.

OCPA received nearly 100 submissions of colorful, thoughtful, and inspiring pieces that reflect the next generation’s commitment to protecting the planet.

“This year’s ‘Picturing a Better Tomorrow’ art contest entries were incredibly unique, each truly shining with creativity and passion,” said Jacquie Henderson, Director of Communications and External Affairs. “OCPA feels honored to give students the opportunity to explore their artistic representation of renewable energy and what a green future means to them. We are grateful to all of the young artists who participated.”

The winning artists include:

• Gaelle Elbachaalany, a kindergarten student from Oak Creek Elementary in Irvine, made “Save the Earth,” using art brushes and paint to showcase how to “Help the earth breathe and keep it clean by using windmills, solar energy and recycling to protect our planet.”
• Komei Kato, a first-grade student from Portola Springs Elementary in Irvine, created “The Super Ocean Cleaning Robot,” using watercolor and Posca paint markers. He explained, “The robot cleans the ocean. He helps sea animals. The fish are happy and swim in clean water.”
• Stella Park, a third-grade student from Stonegate Elementary School in Irvine, created her artwork, “The Power of Everyday Actions,” using paint. The piece shows that “A better tomorrow is not built on complex technology alone. It starts with our daily choices: the pedals we turn, the soil we enrich, and the life we plan today.”
• Sophia Lu, a sixth-grade student from Arborland Montessori in Fullerton, created her work, “A Better Tomorrow,” with colored pencils. In her artist description, she wrote, “It shows ways for us to create a better tomorrow using renewable resources.”

Each student implemented their bold interpretations to illustrate ways in which we can protect our planet, reduce reliance on fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy for a cleaner tomorrow – a true inspiration to OCPA and its community members. To see the winning students’ artwork, visit OCPA’s blog: ocpower.org/newsroom.

About Orange County Power Authority

The Orange County Power Authority is a not-for-profit public agency that offers clean power at stable rates, significantly reducing energy-related greenhouse emissions and enabling reinvestment in local energy programs. To learn more, visit www.ocpower.org.