SUMMERFAIR POSTER COMPETITION
Each year, artists are invited to submit design concepts for the annual Summerfair poster. The winning design will become the official visual icon for Summerfair. The artist is awarded $3,000, as well as wide spread recognition through the Summerfair marketing campaign. The poster serves as the cornerstone of the advertising and public relations program each year and will become a collector’s item.
Poster Objectives
To inform the public about Summerfair; including mandatory information specified in the competition rules
To convey that Summerfair is Cincinnati’s premier annual celebration of art and artists
To provide a marketing tool that promotes the event
The design of the poster must be adaptable for any and all appropriate uses including the Fair Program cover, local billboards, digital/print ads (in both full color and black and white), T-shirts, tote bags and other merchandise as determined by the marketing committee.
Judges will review all poster entries in January and choose 3-4 entries for presentation to the membership of Summerfair Cincinnati. The general membership will vote by ballot for the winning design. The screening committee is composed of selected Summerfair Cincinnati members and professionals in the art community.
Key items to know about Summerfair and to reflect in your submission:
Summerfair is Cincinnati’s premier festival of fine arts and crafts featuring over 300 artists from around the country and Canada, exhibiting and selling their work. In addition, Summerfair features an acoustic stage for local entertainment, a youth arts area with hands-on art projects for kids, and a food court. 2025 will be the 58th year for Summerfair. Please refer to our website for a gallery of past winning posters.
Please read these rules carefully. Noncompliance may be cause for disqualification. If you have questions about the competition, please call the Summerfair office at (513) 531-0050 or email info@summerfair.org.
Artist
Must be 18 years of age or older and reside within 75 miles radius of downtown Cincinnati.
Size
All entries must be vertical 16” X 24” (mounted to mat board or foam core) for judging. The winning entry will be enlarged to vertical 24” X 36”.
Media
Select any media (e.g. pastels, oils, gouache, full-color photos, prints, etc.). Designs must be suitable for various adaptations (see Statement of Objectives) and final art (if selected) must be made available to SFC in digital, high res format. Three-dimensional, sculptural, or bas-relief designs must be submitted as an entry-size 2D reproduction for judging.
Mandatory Information
The following information must be incorporated into your poster design:
Summerfair 2025
Cincinnati, Ohio
2025 Dates: May 30 - June 1, 2025
Rain or Shine
Selected exhibits of Fine Arts and Crafts
Location : Coney Island, Kellogg Ave at I-275
Friday 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Key Dates
2025 deadlines are as follows:
Poster drop-off before or no later than January 11th at the frame shops or the Summerfair office. Call each of their closing times.
Judging January 19th with final Membership vote January 21st. Results sent via email on the 21st.
Drop Off Sites
Official Poster Competition Rules
Framed NKY
103 N Fort Thomas Ave
Ft. Thomas, KY 41075
859-781-2233
Frame and Save
2940 Wasson Ave
Cincinnati, OH 45209
513-531-9794
Brownings of Wyoming
1424 Springfield Pike
Wyoming, OH 45215
513-821-7079
Fabulous Frames & Art
8002 Hosbrook Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45236
513-792-9977
Fabulous Frames & Art
10817 Montgomery Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45242
513-489-8862
Fabulous Frames & Art
1741 E Kemper Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45246
513-772-1011
Frame and Save
1050 Hansel Ave
Florence, KY 41042
859-371-1050
Summerfair Office
7850 5 Mile Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45230
513-531-0050
Artist’s Responsibility
The artist (or artist team) must live within a 75-mile radius of downtown Cincinnati. Artists submitting entries MUST BE 18 years of age or older. The winning artist will be required to prepare, or have prepared at his/her expense, high resolution digital files. Assistance will be required to adapt the design for the 2023 Fair program cover, advertising (both CMYK and B/W) ads and billboard production, T-shirt printing (e.g. fewer colors, layers, simplification), and other merchandise; working against production deadlines and press check(s) at the printer. Type and color separations will be the responsibility of SFC. The selected design will be faithfully reproduced. No corporate or personal logos can be incorporated into the poster design. SFC members are not eligible to participate in the Summerfair Poster Competition.
Entry Form
Each submission (yes, you may have more than one) must have a completed official entry form. When you SUBMIT your information it will generate an email that is sent to you. Please print and place on the back of your poster entry - please check spam if it doesn’t come right to your email.