2025 Beatles Art Contest

Submissions now open!

Beatles Art Contest, EXHIBITION & SALE

Professional and amateur artists of all ages are invited to submit artwork for FabFest-Charlotte's Beatles Festival.

The juried Beatles Art Contest takes place  Saturday, October 4, 2025 at CPCC's Parr Center, with the Awards Ceremony at 10:30am - FREE!

Thanks to sponsors Frame Warehouse and Harris Holt Framing & Art, more than $3,000 in cash prizes will be awarded including a Best in Show Award of $1,000.

New this year, we invite you to expand your vision of the Beatles’ influence on music, art, and culture!

From psychedelic style to cultural revolution, the Beatles helped shape the 1960s and beyond, and their music, messages and legacy continue to inspire new generations of artists. Check out this article, video, or free movie to learn more.

We’re looking for art that interprets how the Beatles influenced and were influenced by the world around them — all the themes of the era are fair game!

Fashion, freedom, equality, revolution, innovation, spirituality, cultural exchange, love, peace, and change — the whole ‘60s vibe, we want it all! 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: September 20, 2025   

See printable PDF

2024 Best in Show "Imagine" by Lara Breitkreutz

HOW TO ENTER

Entry fee for the contest or sale* 

$20 for one piece of art

$35 for two

*Waived for youth artists, donated art or exhibition-only art.

 

Application Process:
    • Complete an Online Submission Form by Saturday, September 20, 2025 for each piece of work
      The Submission Form requires a gmail account to complete. If you don't already have, and prefer not to create, a free gmail account, please let us know using this Contact Form and we'll make another method available.
    • If artist is under 18, a parent or guardian must complete the Submission Form.
    • Upload a high-resolution photo of each piece of art (pdf, jpeg, or png) for use in online sale.
    • Choose your participation for each artwork:
      A. Contest + exhibition (art may only be entered into the contest twice, excluding past winners)
      B. Exhibition only
      C. Exhibition + sale (artist keeps 80%)
      D. Contest + exhibition + sale
    • Submit payment online for each adult artwork for the contest or sale (not donated).
    • Review and agree to Artist Agreement in Submission Form. Artwork selected for display will need:
      • to be delivered by the artist
      • to be picked up by the artist, if not sold (buyers must agree to pick up sold art)
      • artist name on the back of each artwork
      • wire-hanging hardware (tables will  be available for crafts, digital art must be printed for display)

     

WHERE
Parr Center
Central Piedmont Community College
1201 Elizabeth Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28204

FabFest Daytime is FREE for all to attend!

 

WHEN
     Art Drop-off
     Friday Oct 3, 8:30am to 12:30pm

     Artwork Displayed
     Saturday, October 4, 10am to 5pm

     Awards Ceremony
     Saturday, October 4, 10:30am-11:00am

    Join us as we celebrate all of the participating artists and  announce the winners from the Come Together Stage.

     Art Pick-up
     Saturday, October 4, 5 - 6pm
     Sunday, October 5, 11am - 12:30pm
 
CONTACT
Becky Keenan
Beatles Art Contest Coordinator
[email protected] 

2025 Beatles Art Contest Awards

Best in Show - $1,000

Best In Show winning artist will have their artwork exhibited at the Dilworth Artisan Station Art Crawl.

Category 1: Paintings 

  • Professional
    • 1st Place $500
    • 2nd Place $300
  • Amateur
    • 1st Place $200
    • 2nd Place $100

Category 2: Other Art 

  • Professional
    • 1st Place $500
    • 2nd Place $300
  • Amateur
    • 1st Place $200
    • 2nd Place $100

Youth (All Mediums) 

  • Ages 13-17
    • 1st Place $100
    • 2nd Place $50
  • 12 & Younger
    • 1st Place $50
    • 2nd Place $25


TWO CONTEST CATEGORIES

CATEGORY 1: PAINTINGS
Art created by applying paint or pigment on canvas, canvas board, paper or any flat surface.
Examples (including but not limited to): Oil, Pastel, Acrylic, Ink, Gouache

 

CATEGORY 2: OTHER ART (ANY MEDIUM)
Any other medium.
Examples (including but not limited to): Ceramics, Glass, Metal, Fashion, Fiber, Wood, Sculpture, Digital or Graphic Design

 

Judging Criteria:

  1. Communication of theme
  2. Creativity and originality
  3. Aesthetic appeal
  4. Quality of artistic composition and overall design
  5. Technique and craftsmanship
  6. Relevance to 1960s cultural influence (new!)

Thank You 2025 Beatles Art Contest Sponsors!

PRESENTING SPONSOR 

 

BEST IN SHOW SPONSOR

 

SUPPORTING SPONSOR

"Abbey Road" by Melissa Crosson
Professional Category, 3rd Place: Meghan Berney
Professional Category, 2nd Place: Garreth Douglas

The header photo at the top of this page is from a street mural by Eduardo Kobra - see more on the story of this stunning mural, and visit @kobrastreetart to see more of his work.