Every year, the Colorado State Fair showcases talent from some of the state’s finest artists, artisans, bakers, and gardeners. Entries are now open for many exciting competitions, including a new poster competition debuting this year.

Local artists of all ages can submit art for the Commemorative Poster Competition to be considered for the 2024 Colorado State Fair. 

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The winning poster will receive $1,500 in prize money and $500 for the State Fair's purchase of the artwork, which may be used to promote the 2024 State Fair. The top three posters will be displayed at the State Fair this year and will also receive a cash award. The “Colorful Colorado State Fair" contest theme invokes feelings of fun, State Fair memories, community, and all things Colorado.

Coloradans are also encouraged to put their best foot forward and submit their creations to the General Entry and Fine Arts competitions. Items will be judged by relevant art, craft, and hobby experts, and winners will be revealed on the fair's first day. Entries are open now and close on July 19, 2023.

The Colorado State Fair Fine Arts Competition is one of the longest-running at the fair, providing artists from around Colorado to feature their finest works. The competition has expanded to include eight categories, in both 2D and 3D art. 

During last year’s 150th Colorado State Fair, the Fine Arts competition went viral and sparked a global conversationon the role of artificial intelligence in the creation of digital art when Pueblo West’s Jason Allen won the first-place Blue Ribbon for his “Théâtre D’opéra Spatial” submitted in the “Digital Art/Digitally Manipulated Photography” category and the Emerging Artist Division. The judges stood by their decision, which split the art world in half, sparking ongoingconversation about the nature and humanity of art creation. This year, all art created using Generative AI software will be judged under the Digital Art category and the use of any AI software will need to be explicitly stated. 

General Entry categories include:

• Amateur Art
• Arts and Crafts
• Beer and Wine
• Dolls
• Agriculture Mechanics
• Fine Arts
• Floriculture
• Needle Arts
• Pantry
• Porcelain Art
• Quilts
• Farm and Garden

The Special Contests category includes unique and fun competitions such as:

• Poetry
• Coloring for all ages
• Pet Rock
• Funniest Pet Photo
• King Arthur Flour’s Coffee Cake 

Winners will be showcased in the Creative Arts and Fine Arts Buildings during the entire 11 days of the 2023 Colorado State Fair, which runs from August 25 - September 4. Visit the Colorado State Fair website for additional details.