The Saint Louis Science Center is proud to have partnered with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra this spring in support of their 36th annual Picture the Music contest, participating in the contest’s award ceremony and displaying student projects from the competition.
In the Picture the Music contest, students in grades K–8 are invited to create artwork that expresses creative thought and emotion inspired by classical music. The 2025/2026 composition, titled Contact, “Codes” (Mvt. II) by St. Louis composer Kevin Puts, featured rapid notes throughout inspired by possible radio transmissions sent from a distant planet, making the collaboration a natural fit.
At the awards ceremony for student finalists in late March, McDonnell Planetarium educators lead a telescope viewing session at the Symphony’s newly renovated Powell Hall, allowing students to experience close-up views of Venus, Jupiter, and the Moon.
Then, in late April, the McDonnell Planetarium hosted 100 of the winning students’ art projects, putting them on display inside the Holekamp Family Lobby for guests to enjoy.
Congratulations to the Picture the Music contest winners, and thank you to the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra for once again allowing us to be part of sharing these students’ creativity!
