Young Artists Take the Spotlight at 2026 Kids Tag Art Awards Ceremony
PINELLAS COUNTY, FL – The Pinellas County Tax Collector’s Office recognized the creativity and talent of local fifth-grade students and teachers during the 2026 Kids Tag Art Pinellas Awards Ceremony, held on February 19, 2026, at Largo High School.
More than 600 attendees joined the celebration, where over 160 students were recognized for their artistic achievements. From more than 2,500 student entries submitted by elementary schools across Pinellas County, a panel of retired art teachers selected Award of Excellence winners, who each received a certificate and medal in recognition of their accomplishments.
Program sponsors also chose student designs for Sponsor Choice Awards, with winners receiving framed copies of their artwork and special prizes donated by local businesses. Winners of the annual teacher art contest were also honored during the ceremony.
“Seeing the pride on these students’ faces reminds us why this program matters,” Tax Collector Adam Ross said. “Kids Tag Art is about more than art—it’s about investing in creativity, confidence, and the future of our community.”
his award to Isabella G
The Tax Collector Choice Award, the highest honor of the evening, was chosen by Ross and awarded to Isabella Graveel from Midtown Academy. The winning student received a framed copy of their design and additional prizes, including a two-night stay at Holiday Inn Harborside, AirPods, a 3-month family pass to Great Explorations St. Pete, and more.
“The originality and imagination in this year’s artwork were truly impressive,” Ross said. “These students captured the spirit of Pinellas County in ways that are thoughtful, vibrant, and inspiring.”
About Kids Tag Art Pinellas
Kids Tag Art Pinellas is a collaboration between the Pinellas County Tax Collector’s Office, Pinellas County Schools, and community sponsors. The program inspires fifth-grade students to create original, front-facing collectible license plate designs during art class. These designs are sold at kidstagartpinellas.org, with all proceeds going back to the elementary school art programs to support supplies and activities.
Since its start, Kids Tag Art Pinellas has raised over $450,000 for local elementary art classrooms and programs. These funds are used to buy markers, paper, paints, and other essential art supplies, enriching the art education experience for students across the county. Each year, winning designs are displayed at tax collector offices throughout Pinellas County.
“This program is a great example of what happens when schools, government, and local businesses come together,” said Tax Collector Adam Ross. “Kids Tag Art has become a cherished tradition in Pinellas County, and it continues to grow because of the strong support from schools, families, and local businesses.”
Community Support and Sponsorship
The 2026 Kids Tag Art program was made possible through support from generous community sponsors, including Suncoast Credit Union, Tag Agency Professionals, Direct Mail Systems, DPrint, FL Heart Research Foundation, City of Largo, MicroLumen Medical Tubing, Office & Flooring Worx, LifeLink FL, Lauren’s Kids, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and St. Petersburg College. Sponsor donations and tag sales help bridge the funding gap for elementary art programs and ensure students have access to quality art education resources.
To view student artwork or purchase a collectible tag, visit pinellastaxcollector.gov/KidsTagArt or kidstagartpinellas.org. Check out all the winning student and teacher artwork on the tax collector’s social media pages - @PinellasTC.
###
ABOUT THE PINELLAS COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR’S OFFICE: The Pinellas County Tax Collector’s Office is a constitutionally elected office. Responsibilities include collecting and distributing state and local taxes and providing driver license and motor vehicle registration services to Pinellas County residents. For more information, visit pinellastaxcollector.gov.