The Osher Map Library and Smith Center for Cartographic Education has been hosting its Annual Illustrated Mapmaking Contest since the spring of 2016. Almost 800 Maine elementary students have entered maps into the contest since its inception. The maps have a wide variety of subjects, from maps of neighborhoods to maps of outer space, but we have selected some of our favorite maps of imaginary places to highlight in this current exhibition.
Open to: Maine 4th, 5th, and 6th Graders
Objective: to create an illustrated map of any place, real or imaginary
Judges “Top Twelve” Criteria: Originality, Creativity, Technical Skill, Effort
First Place Prize: $500 for the mapmaker and an additional $500 for the mapmaker’s class
Other Prizes: 2nd Place, 3rd Place, Best in Grades, and Judges’ Choice
Contest Page: www.oshermaps.org/contest
1. Sea Fever
Liam H. of Brooksville (Brooksville Elementary, 5th Grade), 2018
www.oshermaps.org/special-map-exhibits/contest-2018
2. Burger Island
Jack C. of Brunswick (Brunswick Jr. High, 6th Grade), 2021
www.oshermaps.org/contest-2021/#173
3. Myste
Reuben S. of South Portland (Small Elementary, 5th Grade), 2018
www.oshermaps.org/special-map-exhibits/contest-2018
4. Minecraft Village
Evelyn B. of South Portland (Holy Cross School, 4th Grade), 2021
www.oshermaps.org/contest-2021/#202
5. Zenastan
Griffin M. of Ellsworth (Ellsworth Elementary, 5th Grade), 2018
www.oshermaps.org/special-map-exhibits/contest-2018
6. Wonder Land
Emma W. of Albion (Albion Elementary, 5th Grade), 2017
www.oshermaps.org/special-map-exhibits/contest-2017#117
7. Star Wars Mandalorian
James V. of Old Orchard Beach (Holy Cross School, 6th Grade), 2021
www.oshermaps.org/contest-2021/#178
8. Honor Port Islands
Nora B. of Portland (Reiche Elementary, 5th Grade), 2021
www.oshermaps.org/contest-2021/#244
9. Skull Island
Django T. of Kennebunk (Sea Road School, 5th Grade), 2019
www.oshermaps.org/contest-2019
10. Tiny Isle of Glinishmore
Annabelle G. of South Berwick (Marshwood Great Works School, 5th), 2020
www.oshermaps.org/mapmaking-contest-2020/#114
11. Catlantis
Caelea T. of Poland (Elm Street School, 6th Grade), 2021
www.oshermaps.org/contest-2021/#164
12. Illumination Island
Emily W. of Gorham (Narragansett Elementary, 4th Grade), 2021
www.oshermaps.org/contest-2021/#140
13. Forever Land
Breanna R. of Winthrop (Winthrop Elementary, 5th Grade), 2019
www.oshermaps.org/contest-2019
14. Rockwell
Adam L. of North Yarmouth (Greely Middle School, 5th Grade), 2016
www.oshermaps.org/special-map-exhibits/contest-2016#story-places
15. Unicorn Island
Cassidy H. of Alfred (Alfred Elementary, 5th Grade), 2016
www.oshermaps.org/special-map-exhibits/contest-2016#humorous
16. Sea Glass Isles
Teddy B. of Cape Elizabeth (Cape Elizabeth Middle School, 6th Grade), 2021
www.oshermaps.org/contest-2021/#155
17. Map of Pyrrhia
Delia B. of Greene (Fiddlehead School of Arts and Sciences, 6th Grade), 2021
www.oshermaps.org/contest-2021/#163
18. Dragon Archipelago
Adelaide D. of Rangeley (Homeschooled, 5th Grade), 2020
www.oshermaps.org/mapmaking-contest-2020/#120
19. Through Harry Potter’s Eyes
Lucy O. of Portland (Longfellow Elementary, 5th Grade), 2019
www.oshermaps.org/contest-2019
20. Storyland
Gemma B. of Lewiston (McMahon Elementary, 5th Grade), 2019
www.oshermaps.org/contest-2019
21. The Blue Moon Islands
Maya B. of Gray (Fiddlehead School of Arts and Sciences, 5th Grade), 2021
www.oshermaps.org/contest-2021/#174
