Banned Books Week

The open artist call for 2023's Banned Books Trading Cards is now open!

Banned Books Week is the annual celebration of the freedom to read! Once again, we encourage artists to submit an interpretation of a banned or challenged book to be made into trading cards. We are looking for orginal art that represents books or authors who have been challenged, censored or banned. Submissions should represent the ongoing struggle for intellectual freedom and the dangers of censorship. 

Five submissions will be selected to be printed as trading cards, with the orginal artwork on the front and information about the book and artist statement on the back. Selected entries will be displayed at the library during Banned Books Week. Winning artists will be recognized at an unveiling during Banned Books Week celebration, receive $100 prize and a poster-sized print of their work. 

Submission Requirements

+ Artists may submit up to three different works of art
+ Submissions must depict no more than one banned or challenged book or author
+ Submissions must be original work excluding the use of A.I. generations
+ Artwork must be submitted on paper or electronically
+ Artwork must measure 5 inches wide by 7 inches tall

Selection Process

A selection committee made up of FPL staff and the Fayetteville Public Library Arts Committee will select five works to be printed as trading cards and to be put on display in the library. The five winning artists will also receive $100 each. All unselected artwork will be returned to the artist. 

Fayetteville Public Library and its Art Committee reserve the right to refuse any or all submissions, to refuse any finalist, to waive informalities in proposals or procedures, or to withhold the award of a commission prior to a written contractual arrangement. By submitting artwork to this contest, artists grant Fayetteville Public Library the right to reproduce artwork images for publicity and for the benefit of the Library. 

Submit your work!

Electronic submissions – Email the artwork PDFs and accompanying paperwork to bannedbooks@faylib.org

Hardcopy submissions – Bring the final physical copy and the accompanying paperwork to any service desk at the library, or mail entries to:

Fayetteville Public Library  
ATTN: Jim Curry  
401 W. Mountain St. 
Fayetteville, AR 72701 

Each submission must be accompanied by a completed submission form.

Download Submission Form

Submission deadline is August 15, 2023.