Texas Artist Wine Label Competition

Want to see your artwork on a bottle of wine?

The Texas Artist Wine Label Competition is the centerpiece for the

40th Annual Wine & Roses Festival (April 27, 2024).

Submit Entry Here

Symmetry

This year we invite artists to depict the theme of “SYMMETRY.”

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Edith Wharton, said “The desire for symmetry, for balance, for rhythm in form as well as in sound, is one of the most inveterate of human instincts.” Symmetry is a balance, a harmonious presentation of nature. For us, symmetry in winemaking is starting the process with only the best Texas grapes to produce only the best wines. From beginning to end, balance must be maintained to consistently craft award-winning Texas wines.

These additional words can help guide your creativity: balance, equilibrium, and harmony.

Entry Deadline: Friday, March 15, 2024

Entry Fee: $25.00

CONTEST TIMELINE

Friday, March 29th: Digital artwork submission, application, and fees due online at CallForEntry.org

Friday, April 5th: Finalists notified along with invitation to participate in the Wine & Roses Festival

Friday, April 19th: Finalists framed physical artwork due by 5:00pm

Friday, April 26th: Artwork on display at the Spring Wine Release

Saturday, April 27th: Attendees of the Wine & Roses Festival will vote for their favorite artwork

Monday, May 10th: Competition results announced

Friday, May 24th: Remaining artwork must be picked up by 5:00 pm

Top Finalists

The Top Finalists are applicants chosen to submit physical artwork for the competition and will receive:

  • An invitation to display and sell artwork at the Wine & Roses Festival April 27th, 2024 at Messina Hof Estate Winery in Bryan, TX with a complimentary artist booth. Over 1,000 people expected to attend!
  • A Private Tour & Tasting for 10 at any of Messina Hof’s four winery locations

1st Place Prize

$1000

Recognition and online exposure on Messina Hof social media platforms

A Private Tour & Tasting for 10 at any of Messina Hof’s four winery locations

Artwork displayed on Messina Hof wine labels along with name of the artist and title of the piece

Artwork displayed in the Messina Hof Gallery among previous winners

Pair of tickets to attend our Harvest Grand Finale Dinner in August 2024 where the winning artwork will be officially presented to the public

2nd Place Prize

$500

Recognition and online exposure on Messina Hof social media platforms

A Private Tour & Tasting for 10 at any of Messina Hof’s four winery locations

3rd Place Prize

$250

Recognition and online exposure on Messina Hof social media platforms

A Private Tour & Tasting for 10 at any of Messina Hof’s four winery locations

GUIDELINES

  • The fee is $25 for the first digital entry and $20 for each additional digital entry. The fees are non-refundable and are due Friday, March 15, 2024, with the application and entry.
  • Digital entries will be judged by a panel, which includes the owners and team members of Messina Hof and the Arts Council of Brazos Valley.The judging is based on the following:
    • (1) Appropriateness of Materials, (2) Reducibility and Appropriateness for Intended Use on Label, (3) Appropriateness of Theme, (4) Workmanship, and (5) Overall Impression
  • Invitations for the Top Finalists to submit physical artwork for the competition will be shared Friday, March 29, 2024. The number of Top Finalists will be at the panel’s discretion.
  • For Top Finalists: final framed entries are due by 5:00pm on Friday, April 12, 2024 to the Marketing Department at the Messina Hof Estate Winery in Bryan, TX. If paintings are shipped, all expenses including insurance are the responsibility of the artist.
  • Voting among the Top Finalists will take place Saturday April 27, 2024 by attendees of the Wine & Roses Festival & VIP Member Bash.
  • The 1st place artwork, including the frame, title and copyright will become the property of Messina Hof Wine Cellars, Inc. for use on future wine labels.
  • By completing the submission form and paying the submission fee, you (the artist) agree to be responsible for picking up your artwork by 5:00pm on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Messina Hof Estate Winery in Bryan, TX, and for the shipping expenses to and from the Estate, including insurance and materials to return artwork if not picked up by the May 24th deadline. Liability of shipping the artwork remains solely with the artist, not Messina Hof.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Artists must reside in Texas and must be 21 years of age or older. 
  • Medium for final artwork is open to any 2D medium including but not limited to watercolor, oil, pastel, pencil, acrylic, collage, and multimedia.
  • Subject of artwork must be visually big and bold and adhere to the theme “Symmetry – See Entry Details tab for more information.
  • The initial digital submission must provide a clear indication of the final artwork. No significant changes may be made to artwork following digital submission. Any unapproved or significantly altered physical artwork will be disqualified. 
  • Entry CANNOT contain faces of people, nudity, weaponry, trademark symbols, words, flags, military or governmental insignia.
  • The minimum size requirement for artwork is 6”x8” and the maximum size requirement is 18”x24”.
  • For finalists: Physical artwork must be the original of the digital submission. No prints accepted. Physical artwork must be framed in a professional-looking, wooden frame with secure and proper hanging hardware. Metal frames will not be accepted. 

Are there any artist requirements?

Artists must reside in Texas and be 21 years of age or older.

Are there fees associated with entry?

Entry Fee: $25.00
Each additional submission: $20.00

Is there a specific ratio or orientation my artwork should be?

The suggested ratio is 3:2 and any orientation (horizontal or vertical).  We also recommend using high contrast so artwork can be legible at reduced size. Printing a label-sized version of your artwork will help get a visual of what it might look like upon completion.

How will the winning artwork be used on a label?

The label will be created by our design team who will develop a design that best highlights the artwork and the product. Some cropping may occur. Below are some previous examples:

2022 Winner – Peach Moscato, Artist Series

2021 Winner – Gewürztraminer, Artist Series

2020 Winner – Augmented Reality label