Ekphrastic Celebration
An Art Exhibition
and Ekphrastic Poetry Competition
Art submissions open: April 10
Art submissions close: May 8
Exhibition opens: May 12
Poetry submissions open: May 13
Poetry submissions close: June 5
CALL TO ARTISTS & POETS!
2026 EKPHRASTIC CELEBRATION
The Nanaimo Arts Council invites artists and poets to participate in the 2026 Ekphrastic Celebration, where poets craft a poem about a visual image they select from submitted artwork. Poets and artists will share $1,500 in prize money.
Phase 1: Artwork selection
The NAC Selection Committee will choose up to twenty-five original 2D works of art. There is no required subject or theme. NAC will feature the artwork in NAC’s Purple Urchin online gallery.
Art submissions open: April 10
Art submissions close: May 8
Exhibition opens: May 12
Phase 2: Poets respond to the artwork
Once opened, poets may submit a poem responding to the artwork they choose from the exhibition. Poems may only reference a single work of art. Poems are limited to 25 lines.
Category 1. Youth ages 13-18 Category 2. Adult 19+
Poetry submissions open: May 13
Poetry submissions close: June 5
Phase 3: Judging and Awards:
Judges will select the top three poems in each category. Winners are informed about their award level (1st, 2nd, 3rd) at the award ceremony.
Judging complete July 23
Award Ceremony Weekend of July 4 or 11
Awards (Youth & Adult)
- Poetry 1st $125 (Youth) $250 (Adult)
- Poetry 2nd $100 (Youth) $200 (Adult)
- Poetry 3rd $75 (Youth) $175 (Adult)
- Artists whose work is selected by one or more poets: $100
General Rules and Procedures
This competition is open to Nanaimo Arts Council members. Go to https://nanaimoartscouncil.ca/memberships/ to join. Youth and students can join for free. The adult fee is $20.
Visual artists may submit one piece. Entry is free for youth and students; the adult fee is $10. The jury will select up to 25 works of art.
Youth poets (ages 13-18) may submit one poem. There is no entry fee. Adults may submit up to two poems with an entry fee of $12 per poem.
Individuals may enter as artists or as poets but not as both.
Fees are non-refundable.
Authors must attest that their submission is original work that has not been AI generated or copied from other sources, and any quotations or references are properly acknowledged.
Art Submission Rules and Procedures
Please review the Guidelines for submission procedures, photography tips, and other details and requirements.
Please do not sign the art until after it has been photographed. Poets must not be able to identify the artist.
You may sell your art. There is a 30% commission on sales through the site. Packaging and delivery costs are not included in the sale price and must be arranged between the purchaser and the artist.
Poetry Submission Rules and Procedures
Poems must be original, previously unpublished and about a work in the Purple Urchin online exhibition. The poet’s name must not appear in their poetry submission. Individual poems may only reference a single work of art. Poems are to be formatted in 12pt font (Arial or Times New Roman are acceptable). Poems are limited to up to 25 lines. Poets are encouraged to title their works. Please list the reference artwork in your submission.
Privacy
Your privacy is assured, and we will only use your personal details for the purposes of this contest. For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.
Copyright
You retain the copyright to your work. By entering this competition, you agree to give Nanaimo Arts Council a non-exclusive license to publish your work online, in-print and/or in electronic/promotional media, including the Sea Wolf Literary Review.
Employees, program coordinators, judges and NAC Board members are not eligible to enter this competition.
Questions
Contact: Lillian@nanaimoartscouncil.ca