Hollow Mountain & the Green Biz Kidz are building a Community Garden at Bub’s Bookstore thanks to the generosity of our friends at TruGreen! We are planning several garden phases that will be designed, planted, built and maintained by Carson City kids and teens, but the first step is a Monarch Waystation & Pollinator Garden. And we want a real mini-station to go with it. That’s where you come in!
This design challenge is open to artists ages 1 – 20 with a connection to Carson City (such as living here or the surrounding areas).
Submissions can be made via email to info@hollowmountainworkshops.org or by dropping your submission off between May 27 & June 27, 2026 in the Design Challenge Box at Bub’s Bookstore, located at 110 S Curry St.
Design the Bub’s Bookstore Monarch Waystation
Hollow Mountain is inviting youth artists ages 20 and younger to help design a one-of-a-kind mini-station within the larger Monarch Butterfly Waystation & Pollinator Garden planned for Bub’s Bookstore in Carson City.
The winning design will become part of a real pollinator garden created for monarch butterflies, bees, butterflies, toads and other tiny garden travelers. The project will be installed at Bub’s Bookstore in early Summer 2026.
The design challenge scholarship was made possible thanks to TruGreen‘s generous donation supporting Hollow Mountain and Carson City youth.
Wait, but what’s a Waystation?
A Waystation in the old west was what we might call a “pit stop” or a “rest stop” now — a place between two larger towns or cities where railroad passengers, wagon trains or tired travelers could have a snack, stay the night, or get a wheel fixed.
For monarch butterflies, however, waystations are critical to their survival as a species as they provide the essential milkweed and nectar plants needed to breed and sustain their multi-generational, 3,000-mile migration. By counteracting widespread habitat loss, these localized gardens are vital for preserving the monarch butterfly population.
The Challenge
Artists are asked to design a miniature “station” for critters and tiny garden folk.
This could be a gnome village train station, a nature-reclaimed post-apocalyptic subway station, a weather station for ants, a butterfly bus station, a midcentury gas station, a 1980s radio station or another creative version of a station built with monarchs, bees, butterflies, toads, fairies and other miniature critters to enjoy.
The design must include the following three elements:
What the Garden Will Include
The Monarch Waystation will include milkweed for monarch caterpillars, nectar plants for adult butterflies and other pollinator-friendly plants designed by the EVMS Green Biz Kidz. After the winning artist’s design is selected, it will be combined with their design and the final garden will be installed.
Below you’ll find images of the space, along with measurements of the garden area as a whole, along with traditional pollinator-friendly plants that will likely be incorporated into the space.
Prize and Recognition
The winning artist will receive:
- A $250 award
- Public recognition as the designing artist
- A small plaque at the garden
- Participation in the official ribbon cutting
- A possible one-on-one mentorship session with a professional working artist, if availablity and scheduling allows
Each age bracket (Kit Club, Leveret League, Prong Pack and Jacks) will have a winner and will receive an enlarged and framed copy of their winning design along with mystery prizes.
Runners-up may also have small elements of their designs incorporated into the final installation as feasible.
Design Guidelines
Designs should be:
- Creative
- Safe
- Nontoxic
- Outdoor-friendly
- Pollinator-friendly
- Realistic to build
- Easy to repair or maintain
- Welcoming to monarchs, bees, butterflies, toads and visitors
Natural and organic materials are encouraged, including untreated wood, bark, pinecones, stones, logs, terracotta, clay, branches and other materials that can safely weather over time.
What Not to Include
Designs cannot include:
Who Can Apply
This challenge is open to youth artists 20 years and younger with a connection to Carson City.
What to Submit
Please submit:
- Your name and age
- Parent or guardian contact information, if under 18
- A drawing, painting, digital design, collage, model photo or other visual concept
- A short description of your idea
- A list of materials you imagine using
- A brief explanation how your design supports butterflies, bees, toads and the garden (parents can help their jackalopes write this so long as the thoughts are their own!)
For convenience, we have created printable sheets that you may use to submit your work.
Artists do not have to use our pre-made sheets, they are simply available for your convenience (especially in the case of our tiny jackalopes!). If not using our pre-made formatted design worksheets, please be sure to include your name and age on your design submission.
How Designs Will Be Reviewed
Designs will be reviewed for:
- Creativity
- Connection to the “station” theme
- Safety for wildlife and visitors
- Use of natural or garden-friendly materials
- How well the station, water feature and toad habitat work together
- How realistic the design is to build and maintain
The winning design does not need to be the most polished drawing/painting/collage/design. The strongest design will be imaginative, thoughtful and practical to translate from paper to the real-world.
Ribbon Cutting
After installation, Hollow Mountain will host an official ribbon cutting at Bub’s Bookstore to open the Monarch Waystation and Community Garden.
The winning artist, participating youth, families, Bub’s Bookstore, TruGreen representatives if available, city leaders and community members will be invited to celebrate the opening.
Deadline
Submissions are due between May 27, 2026 and June 27, 2026.
Submit designs to: info@hollowmountainworkshops.org with the word “Station” in the subject line
Winners announced: July 7
Installation slated for: July 2026
Official Contest Rules:
