Kiʻi Con Artwork Contest
Official Rules and Submission 
November 1, 2025 – January 15, 2026

Artist Eligibility 

• Artists must be Ages 13-17
• A Hawaiʻi Resident residing in Hawaiʻi
• One submission per artist per category
• Artist must have parental or legal guardian permission to enter contest

Submission Theme: 

Re-imagine the front cover of your favorite book or graphic novel 

Artwork Specifications  

• Accepted Mediums: Physical Drawing with any media or Digitally created Artwork
• Originality: Art must be original design by the artist following contest theme
• Dimensions: 8 ½” X 11” sized paper or digital equivalent
• AI generated art will not be accepted

Judging Criteria 

Artwork will be judged by panel according to the following criteria:

• Originality
• Adherence to theme
• Use of Medium
• Technical Skills and Technique

Awards and Ownership 

• Contest: This contest is hosted by the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System (HSPLS) and the Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi (FLH)
• Prizes: There will be 2 contest winners. One for a physical art submission and one for a digital artwork submission. The winner from each category will win a special meet and greet with one of the following special guests of their choice during their appearance at the McCully-Moʻiliʻili Public Library: Ron Marz, Phil Jimenez, or Kazu Kibuishi. Travel expenses for the contest winner and a parent/guardian will be included. Please refer to the terms and conditions below.  Prizes will also be given to the 2nd and 3rd  place winners in each category.
• Copyright: Artist retains copyright of their original artwork.
• Usage Rights:All submitted artwork can be reproduced, distributed and/or shared by the Hawaiʻi State Public Library System and Friends of the Library of Hawaiʻi for publicity purposes only.

Terms and Conditions 

• Winners will be contacted by March 2, 2026.
• Winners will be asked to present their original artwork for temporary display in the library.
• Grand prize winners will receive an exclusive meet & greet with their choice of visiting artists in the Spring Kiʻi Kon Series: Ron Marz (April 18, 2026), Phil Jimenez (May 16, 2026), Kazu Kibuishi (June 20, 2026) at or near the McCully-Moʻiliʻili Public Library. Travel expenses for neighbor island residents of flight and ground transport for two persons are included.
• No purchases are necessary to enter or receive a prize.
• Prizes cannot be redeemed in cash. Prizes are non-refundable and non-returnable.
• Neither the HSPLS nor FLH are liable for any damage resulting from the conduct of the drawings or the awarding of prizes.
• Winners agree to allow the HSPLS and FLH to use their names, photographs, and images for promotional purposes without further compensation, unless prohibited by law. Names, photographs, and images may also be used for the purpose of providing a list of winners to the public.

Submission Details  

• Deadline: Entries must be received via this online form by 11:59pm HST on January 15, 2026
• How to Submit: Upload a photo, scan, or file using this online form.
  • Your librarian and your local public library branch can help you with scanning and uploading.

Included in your submission you will be asked for the following:

• Name (First and Last)
• Age
• Address
• Contact Phone number
• Email
• Parental or guardian consent (checkbox)
• Checkbox – Physical Artwork (scanned) or Digital Artwork
• Title of book re-imagined
• Home library
• Uploaded file of artwork
• For any questions, send an email to kiiartcontest@librarieshawaii.org