Thank you for your interest in the “MARPOL at 50 – Our Commitment Goes On” Art Contest sponsored by the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA), the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and the Inter-American Committee on Ports of the Organization of the American States (CIP-OAS). 

We welcome students enrolled in grades K-12 living in the Americas (North America, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean) to submit an original poster. Students living outside the Americas are also welcomed to apply, provided they have one or more parents on active duty with the U. S. Coast Guard.  Submissions are accepted from January 9, 2023 - June 1, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.  

(En Español:  www.namepa.net/concurso-de-arte) 

Students are asked to submit an original poster that creatively depicts the history and importance of protecting the planet and the ocean from the impact of shipping by recognizing the importance of the MARPOL Convention (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships).  The theme reflects the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2023 World Maritime Day Theme. Students are asked to submit an original artwork that based on the contest theme description below: 

The Torrey Canyon oil spill in 1967, the largest oil disaster at the time, was one of the key moments that led to the development of the MARPOL Convention, in force since 1973.  Today, MARPOL helps prevent pollution of the sea by:

• MARPOL Annex I oil,
• MARPOL Annex II- noxious liquid substances in bulk,
• MARPOL Annex III- harmful substances in packaged form,
• MARPOL Annex IV sewage
• MARPOL Annex V garbage from ships, and
• MARPOL Annex VI air pollution from ship emissions, and regulation of energy efficient.

The Convention has evolved through the years, including the 2018 adoption of the Initial IMO Greenhouse Gas Strategy to decarbonize the sector as soon as possible before the end of this century.

Can you think of ways to depict innovative and sustainable maritime industry practices to protect the planet and the ocean from the impact of shipping?

Students are asked to submit an original posted, by June 1, 2023, demonstrating the commitment to protect the planet and the ocean.

Twelve entries (six from grades K–5 and six from grades 6–12) will be selected as finalists.

The winning artwork will be featured on NAMEPA, USCG, and CIP-OAS websites. Finalists will receive a certificate and a calendar with the artwork from all 12 winners. Two grand-prize winning artists (one from each of the grade brackets) will receive, in addition to the certificate and calendar, a $100 cash prize and a USCG prize package.

Full rules are posted below. 

RULES: 

Artwork Specifications 

• Each entry must be a two-dimensional, original piece of artwork done on white poster board or heavy white drawing paper with dimensions of 24” x 18” or 32” x 24” (61 cm x 46 cm or 81 cm x 61 cm) in the landscape orientation. Drawings that do not meet these size and orientation specifications will be ineligible for competition. 
• Any art medium may be used; however, computer graphics or pencil will not be accepted. 
• Artwork must be flat with no glued pieces. 
• Bright colors should be used because they are best for reprinting. 
• A slogan or title may be written on the artwork; however, the student's name or school may not appear on the front or back of the drawing. 
• Artwork must be completely done by the student, including any written text. 
• Any artwork that includes copyrighted or trademarked product names will be disqualified. 
• You must take a high-resolution (at least 3072 x 2304 pixels) digital photograph of your poster in order to submit your entry. 

How to Submit Artwork - To enter, go to: NAMEPA Art Contest

• Only one entry per student is allowed. 
• Submissions must be made via a submittable.com account. 
• Click the ‘Submit’ button to log in or establish an account and submit an entry. 
• Parents, legal guardians, and teachers/facilitators are allowed to submit entries for multiple students using the same submittable.com account. 
• The following information will be needed for each entry: 
• Title of artwork such as “Healthy Oceans, Happy Fish” 
• Student’s first & last name, grade, and school/after-school program 
• School/after-school complete mailing address including city, state, country, and postal code 
• Teacher’s/after-school facilitator’s name, phone number, and email 
• Upload the digital photo of the artwork 
• Submit your entry and keep copy of original. 

Next Steps 

Once the entry is submitted, a confirmation email will be sent to the submittable.com account holder.  The twelve finalists will be selected and notified by July 01, 2023.  The finalists will be required to submit their original artwork via mail upon being notified as a finalist.  Do not misplace your art! For contest help, please contact contesthelp@namepa.net. 

Use of Submissions 

NAMEPA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the Inter-American Committee on Ports of the Organization of American States retain the right to use the winning posters, always making reference to the name of the holder, to project and promote their institutional objectives in any way deemed appropriate in the future (exhibitions, production of commemorative booklets or calendars, creation of CDs, projections on websites, etc.). Participants in this poster competition explicitly accept this condition and provide the “Partners” the right to use their posters. 

2023 Art Contest Calendar Sponsors