IT'S TIME TO SHARE YOUR INCREDIBLE TALENT WITH THE 102ND ZOZOBRA
FOR THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF AMERICA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ray Sandoval, Zozobra Event Chair
(Santa Fe, NM) Before you know it, Zozobra will be strutting back into Santa Fe for a truly royal appearance, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary — and he wants your creativity fueling his fame. It’s time to grab those pencils, markers, and paintbrushes, and let your creative juices flow!
Santa Fe’s king of narcissists lives for the spotlight, returning year after year to take advantage of the woes and worries we’re ready to burn away. But, as an artist, YOU have the tools to outshine his gloom. Set your imagination free and create a standout vision of Santa Fe's most iconic troublemaker for the Official 2026 Zozobra Art Contest!
We love AI but not for Zozobra Art
Ray Sandoval, the ZOZOBRA Event Chairman, emphasizes: 'We welcome digital and traditional art—but not AI-generated images. The reason we hold this contest is to encourage artistic growth in our community, and using AI creates an unfair advantage."
Artist participants must certify that their work is original and is not AI-generated. Work will be digitally reviewed to ensure its originality. While digital artwork is accepted, work that simply applies a filter to existing Zozobra photographs and AI-generated submissions will be excluded. Kiwanis aims to foster genuine artistic talent, and it is unfair for artists to have to compete against AI-generated work.
It’s Not Even Christmas yet—So Why Are We Starting the Zozobra Art Contest So Soon?
Because we want to give your incredible Zozobra artwork the spotlight it deserves! To feature your designs on T-shirts, posters, margarita glasses, tickets, and more for the 2026 celebration, we need ample time for production, promotion, and planning. That’s why we’re launching the contest now—so that YOU have the chance to showcase your talent and receive maximum recognition through scheduled TV and radio interviews, photo shoots, and features in publications like Pasatiempo.
How to Enter
To enter the Official Zozobra Art Contest, scroll down to HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ARTWORK for details and entry info.
Zozobra loves having his portrait done, and in 2026, he'll no doubt think that America's 250th birthday celebration is all about him! Because this celebration will be such a special confluence of events, we want to give artists plenty of time over the holidays to envision how to mark this once-in-250-years moment.
To see previous Zozobra artwork for ideas, click on this link
BUT REMEMBER TO USE THE 102nd ZOZOBRA AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY THEME. ZOZOBRA as King, Gloomies as Red Coats. with the Fire Spirit and Torchbearers as American Patriots.
WHY ENTER YOUR ARTWORK
The winning artwork will be seen by thousands who can't wait to hang a new commemorative Zozobra poster on their wall or wear a unique 2026 Zozobra vs. Patriots t-shirt with pride. Additional designs will be selected for promotional use during this festive celebratory year.
Winning artists will be featured in promotions and will receive a pair of VIP tickets to the 102nd Burning of Zozobra on Friday, September 4, 2026! Best of all, the net proceeds of the poster and t-shirt sales go back to our community to make life better for New Mexico kids!
HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR ARTWORK
(Don't want to sumbit electronically? Scroll down)
2026 Official Zozobra 102 Poster
Open to all artists & all ages
Size requirement: Artwork must scale to 24″ wide x 36″ high
Image must be primarily of Zozobra
Submission deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Click here to submit your artwork and required entry form online.
2026 Official Zozobra 102 T-Shirt
Open to all artists and all ages
Size requirement: must scale to 9″ wide x 11″ high
Image must be primarily of Zozobra
Submission deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Click here to submit your artwork and required entry form online.
2026 Official Zozobra 102 Youth Poster
Open to youth artists up to age 18
Size requirement: artwork must scale to 11″ wide x 14″ high
Image must be primarily of Zozobra
Submission deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Click here to submit your artwork and required entry form online.
2026 Official Zozobra 101 Youth T-Shirt
Open to youth artists up to age 18
Size requirement: must scale to 9″ wide 11″ high
Image must be primarily of Zozobra
Submission deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026, at 5 p.m.
Click here to submit your artwork and required entry form online.
Artwork must be artist-created and original. All submissions will be reviewed. AI-generated artwork will not be accepted. Orginial Digital artwork is great, but no AI generated submissions
Please follow the guidelines on the Zozobra website at
https://burnzozobra.com/z26artcontest/
Remember, you must also include
the artist agreement form with your submission.
Participants must certify that their work is original and not AI-generated. While digital artwork is accepted, images made by filters applied to existing Zozobra photographs and AI-generated submissions will be excluded. Kiwanis aims to foster genuine artistic talent, and it is unfair for artists to have to compete against AI-generated work.
The deadline for online art submissions is
Friday, January 30, 2026, at 5 pm.
Physical Artwork can also be hand-delivered to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Fe/Del Norte (click on this link for map) located at 6600 Valentine Way, Santa Fe, NM 87507, Monday through Friday between 3-5 pm. Please enter at the main entrance with the double doors (see image below) and let the receptionist know that you are delivering Zozobra art.
Hand-delivered work must include the art submission form and the artist agreement form. The artist is responsible for securely packaging the artwork to prevent damage or loss. Arrangements for retrieving hand-delivered work will be made after judging is complete. Artists who submit hard-copy artwork are responsible for contacting us for the return of their work. Please be sure that all your contact information is on your entry form so we're able to return your artwork to you.
The deadline for hard-copy art submissions is Friday, January 30, 2026, at 5 pm.
GOOD LUCK TO ALL!
We can't wait to see how YOU will picture Zozobra trying his best to defeat the enduring patriotic spirit of America!