First Bloem Festival Artwork Competition 2025

First bloem 2025 - the tulip time festival poster competition

Tulip Time is pleased to announce the 2025 First Bloem Festival Artwork Competition through which a work of art is selected for the official Tulip Time poster. In addition to the poster, the artwork is used on merchandise to be sold by Tulip Time.

TO DOWNLOAD THE PROSPECTUS/SUBMISSION FORM CLICK HERE

ABOUT THE PROCESS

First Bloem invited artists in Ottawa, Allegan, Kent, Muskegon, and Kalamazoo counties to submit artwork for the official Festival Artwork Competition and a Viewers' Choice Award. Artists could submit up to three works. Artists may submit up to three (3) works for a single entry fee of $35.

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Tulip Time's poster program began in 1982. Its long-standing history has produced a beautiful collec­tion representing the festival and the Holland community. The poster is an integral part of Tulip Time and the marketability of the artwork is one of the prime considerations in the selection of the winner. Tulip Time reserves the right to alter the artwork for purposes of merchandising.

THE JUROR AND SELECTION PROCESS 

This year's juror, Michael Burmeister will judge the submitted pieces and select the Top 20.

The official Festival Artwork will be selected from this Top 20 by Tulip Time Festival, Inc.

THE VIEWERS' CHOICE AWARD 

After the winner is selected and revealed in early 2025, the remaining 19 of the finalists' original works will be placed on display during Tulip Time (May 3-9, 2025). A voting system will be used for the public to vote on their favorite artwork. The winner will be announced at the end of the festival (date and location to be announced).

Cash Awards

2025 Poster Winner: $1,000 cash prize
Festival Viewer's Choice Award: $500 cash prize

IMPORTANT DATES 

Oct. 4-5, 2024             Artwork due and dropped off at Tulip Time office    
Oct. 11, 2024                Top 20 artists notified 
Late February 2025    First Bloem Reveal Party (poster winner announced)
May 3-9, 2025             Top 20 exhibit and Viewers' Choice voting 
May 9, 2024                 Viewers' Choice Award Reception

TO DOWNLOAD THE PROSPECTUS/SUBMISSION FORM CLICK HERE

Please direct all questions to Lorma Freestone at (616) 403-1015 or ttartwork@tuliptime.com
 

The 2024 Top 20

The pieces selected for the Top 20, 2024, in alphabetical order by artists, are:

“Abstract Blooms” by Tricia Baker
“Tulip Time Cycles” by Mary Benedict
“Lake. Bikes. Tulips” by Elizabeth Bombara
“I Scream, You Scream for Tulip Time” by Elizabeth Bombara
“In the Park” by Karl Burdak
“Dutch Delivery” by John Cowden
“Classic Beauties” by John Cowden
“Lace Up, Pedal Through" Old Traditions Made New” by Jenny deFouw Geuder
“Tulip Delivery” by Agnes Fisher
“Tulips and Grasses” by Judy Giles
“Pedal Petal” by Toni Houtman
“Holland!” by Karen Johnson
“Come Together” by Karen Johnson
“Spring Race” by Erin Mullis
“Springtime” by Anne Rivers
“The Colors of Spring” by Nancy Sackrison
“Tour Rondttet Windmole Iland” by Sri Soekarmoen McCarthy
“Gears and Cheers” by Carolyn Stitch
“Blooms and Bicycles in the City” by Tracey Venema
“Tour de Tulip” by Kyle Susan Vohlken