April 28, 2023 

This summer, student artists from the Texas Panhandle can compete for cash prizes and the chance to have their work displayed on the exterior of the Downtown Amarillo Public Library.

The contest theme is Learn, Create, Inspire!  Three distinct but coordinating designs illustrating the theme will be chosen for the library’s mural and installed across three of the second-story brick panels on the front of the Downtown Library facing 4th Ave.  

Director of Library Services Amanda Barrera expressed appreciation to Friends of the Amarillo Public Library organization, which is providing funds for the mural project.  “Our library is more than people know,” says Barrera.  “People are learning to read, use computers, speak English, and become citizens.  Patrons are creating beautiful goods and art in our MakerSpace, and every day, Amarillo citizens find information and inspiration from our collection and through the work of our amazing staff.  We look forward to making the outside of our building reflect a little of the exciting and life-changing activities happening inside.”

To participate in the contest, students must submit an original work of art sized to 10.5 inches high by 5.5 inches wide by June 15 at 5 PM.  Contestants may submit multiple designs and each design will be judged individually.  A $500 prize will be issued for each winning design.  If a participant submits more than one winning design, they will be awarded $500 for each design selected.  

All submitted designs will undergo preliminary screening by City of Amarillo staff for adherence to the contest rules.  A committee of judges consisting of art professionals, board members from the Library Advisory Board and Friends of the Library Boards, and representatives from the City of Amarillo will then review all eligible entries and place finalists into groups of three. 

Amarillo Public Library will announce the contest finalists and their groupings at the library’s pop culture convention, AMA-CON, on August 5, and public voting for the winning design group will be open until August 14.  Once the winning designs are chosen, Blank Space Murals will work with the artists to adapt the designs to create a cohesive mural.  Winners will be announced following final approval by Amarillo City Council on September 12, and Blank Spaces Murals will install in late September leading up to the HOODOO Mural Festival on September 30.

The deadline to submit artwork is June 15 and a contest entry form will be available by May 15.  More complete rules and guidelines can be found on the Amarillo Public Library website.

For more information, contact APL Coordinator of PR and Programming, Stacy Clopton.