Entries are now open for the 2026 Urbanna Oyster Festival Poster Contest. As America embarks on its 250th birthday this summer, we’ve aligned this year’s theme to compliment the celebration:
Celebrating 250 Years
Urbanna and the Middle Peninsula are honorably part of the rich history of the state and country and this year we look forward to celebrating 250 plus years of history through our poster artwork. The early days of the town, the buildings, the artifacts and the people all tie into what makes Urbanna so memorable. Entries should include a nod to Urbanna and signify the places or moments that tie together patriotism and local pride. We look forward to seeing your unique work!
Deadline for entries: June 15, 2026 with a winner announced by the end of the month.
Prize: $500 and your artwork used as the official 69th Annual Oyster Festival poster and on official merchandise.
Guidelines for entry:
1. Artwork may be created by amateur or professional artist(s) of any age.
2. Ideal size of art should be 18” x 24” for printing purposes. All sizes will be accepted but may need to be adapted for our purposes. Resolution for digital artwork must be at least 300 dpi.
3. The Urbanna Oyster Festival reserves the right to modify the winning design in accordance with the printing process. The UOF will consult with the artist about any necessary modifications but will have final approval on any changes.
a. Printing adaptations potentially used for: brochure cover, merchandise, poster
4. Acceptable mediums: photography, oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels or mixed mediums (Remember: colors should be bright or dark enough to reproduce as a print).
5. The Oyster Festival Foundation or any member(s) of the Foundation are not responsible for damage of the artwork and will not be held liable for any such damage.
6. The winning artwork becomes the sole property of the Urbanna Oyster Festival Foundation, and cannot be reproduced, or made available for sale except by permission of the Urbanna Oyster Festival Foundation.
7. Provide your name, mailing address, telephone number and a brief description of the work with your entry.
8. The use of AI platforms to generate artwork is strictly prohibited. Questions about entries may require a follow up with the artist for verification.
All digital entries should be emailed to oysterfestmarketing@gmail.com. Original artwork in physical form (canvas, printed photos, etc.) should be delivered to the Urbanna Oyster Festival Foundation 51 Cross Street, Suite 200, Urbanna, VA 23175. Hand deliveries accepted Monday-Friday 9am-3pm. Please label with artist’s name and package entries safely and appropriately, the UOF Foundation will not guarantee against damage.
All physical entries should be picked up no later than August 1, 2026 at the Urbanna Oyster Festival Foundation Office (804-758-2122). We cannot be responsible for any entries left after September 19, 2026.
Disclaimer
By submitting artwork to the UOF post contest I acknowledge that:
● My artwork may be adjusted to best fit the printing process.
● The Urbanna Oyster Festival Foundation owns the rights to my artwork and I cannot reproduce it for any other purpose. All promotion of the winning art must be done in collaboration with the UOFF.
● The submitted artwork is original and made by me without the use of ai or copying of any existing artwork done by other person(s).