Waimea Arts Council Call for Art: Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival 2027 Signature Art Contest.
The Waimea Arts Council invites its members to participate in the Waimea Cherry Blossom
Heritage Festival Signature Art Contest. We seek original artwork embodying the Cherry Blossom season’s beauty, spirit, and cultural significance in Waimea. The winning design will be featured on the festival’s official souvenir poster and promotional materials, highlighting this beloved celebration to both locals and visitors.
Eligibility:
● Membership Requirement: This contest is open exclusively to current members of the Waimea Arts Council. Artists who are not yet members may join by submitting their membership application and dues no later than October 31, 2026.
● New Submissions: All artwork must be original and newly created, never previously submitted to the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival art contest.
Important Dates:
● Submission Deadline: November 1, 2026
● Announcement of Winner: December 1, 2026
● Event and Art Sale: February 6, 2027 (at the Waimea Firehouse Gallery)
Contest Guidelines:
1. Theme: The artwork should celebrate the Cherry Blossom season, reflecting the natural beauty, cultural heritage, and charm of Waimea. Artists are encouraged to interpret this theme creatively, considering that the design will be used across various formats, including posters and brochures.
2. Medium: All mediums are accepted, but the final design must be adaptable to digital formats for reproduction on posters, brochures, and other promotional materials. Artists may need to provide a high-resolution digital copy of their artwork if selected as the winner.
3. Winner Selection: The Organizing Committee of the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage
Festival will select a winner in December.
Prizes:
● Feature Placement: The winning design will be the official 2027 Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival artwork and featured on souvenir posters, brochures, and promotional materials.
● Gallery Exposure: The winner’s work will be prominently displayed and sold at the Waimea Firehouse Gallery during the festival, offering additional exposure and potential sales opportunities.
Submission Process:
1. All submissions must be submitted to Kathy@SprinkleofAloha.com by November 1, 2026. Please include a digital file of your artwork, a brief description of your piece (200 words max), and any relevant details about your creative process.
2. The winning piece must be delivered to the Firehouse Gallery at a date to be determined for hanging and showing on February 6, 2027.
3. Artists must ensure that the work is original, unpublished, and has not been submitted to this contest before.
Terms and Conditions:
● The Waimea Arts Council retains the right to use the winning design in promotional materials for the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival. It reserves the right to modify or resize the artwork as necessary for production purposes.
● Artists maintain ownership of their artwork, but the winning artist agrees to license it for festival-related promotions.
● The winning artist must be available to sell souvenir posters at the Waimea Firehouse Gallery on February 6, 2027, as part of the Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival events. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase your work to festival attendees and fellow art enthusiasts.
For questions or further details, please contact Kathy Sprinkle: Kathy@SprinkleofAloha.com, the WAC member coordinating with the Waimea Cherry Blossom Heritage Festival Committee. We look forward to seeing your artistic interpretation of Waimea’s cherished Cherry Blossom season!
Mahalo and Good Luck!
Regular Gallery Hours:
Thursday–Sunday | 11 AM–3 PM
The Firehouse Gallery
Come see where it takes you.