Kids & Teens

Our Own Expressions

The Teen Writing and Art Contest Our Own Expressions recognizes the artistic and creative voice, vision, and talent of Pierce County teens. 

Every January, Pierce County Library System invites students in grades 7 - 12 to submit poetry, short stories, art, and photography to be reviewed in an anonymous and randomized judging process. Selected winners are then published in a chapbook which is added to the library collection. 

With generous support form the Pierce County Library Foundation, the library awards prizes to the final winners in four categories: 

Visit the contest archives 

to view 25 years of creative teen talent.

Pierce County Library is publishing a Fall Edition of the teen-created zine to be widely distributed at our libraries! 

Learn more about zines here. 

View the Fall Edition of 

The Pocket Art Collective: Teens Make Zines

published December 2021.

	Did you know you can receive professional feedback on your writing for free?    Send any kind of writing (research papers, college application essays, scholarship essays, creative writing, short stories) to the Writing Lab and receive professional feedback within 24 hours!
Watch this video to learn more	Check it out today!