Art Contest: Your Work Could Be on a Billboard
Pick up a hard copy at Swift 404 Bridge St. NW or download and print off your own here.
Grand Rapids is a city that cheers for young creators. In honor of Swift Printing’s 75th anniversary, we’re launching a Fall Student Art Contest to spotlight the next wave of West Michigan talent. It’s free to enter, designed to be classroom-friendly, and—best of all—one grand-prize winner will see their artwork featured on a local billboard (with artist credit). Talk about a big canvas.
“We love celebrating the Arts,” says Walt Gutowski III, Vice President of Swift Printing. “This contest is about celebrating young artists and the pride they bring to our community.”
Who can enter
Eligibility: Everyone! Students in grades 6–12 (age 11-18, public, private, charter, and homeschool welcome)
Where: Greater Grand Rapids/West Michigan+
Cost: Free
What to create
Mediums: All visual art forms are welcome—drawing, painting, collage, mixed media, digital illustration, or photography.
Theme: Swift’s 75! (see template)
Original work: Must be created by the student.
How to enter (Swift steps)
Submit via email at thankyou@swiftprinting.com, drop off at the Swift Printing front desk or post online at tag @swiftprintingco using hashtag #swift75
(Optional) Add a 2–3 sentence artist statement—tell us what inspired your piece.
Deadline: October 20 October 31(11:59 p.m. ET)
What you can win
Cash prizes for division winners.
Grand-prize billboard feature, with the student’s name credited on the design
Select pieces may be showcased on our website and in-shop gallery
Winners announced: on the Swift Printing website and social channels. Winners will also be notified directly.
Tips for a standout submission
Bold reads best. Billboards are viewed from a distance. Strong shapes, contrast, and a clear focal point help your idea “pop.”
Photograph like a pro. Shoot in daylight near a window, hold your camera parallel to the artwork, and avoid shadows or glare.
Keep your original. If you upload online, hold you original. We may need to rescan it later!
For teachers & youth leaders
We designed this to be easy to run in a single class period or club meeting.
Consider a mini-workshop: 10 minutes on composition (rule of thirds, contrast), 20 minutes of sketching, and 10 minutes of peer feedback.
Submitting for a group? Batch uploads are welcome—please label files School_
lastname_firstname_grade.
Why a print shop is hosting an art contest
For 75 years, Swift Printing has believed that print makes ideas real. We’ve watched posters rally volunteers, catalogs launch products, labels build brands, and wedding invites create timeless memories. Inviting students into that magic—then literally putting their ideas up in lights—is our favorite kind of community project.
Behind the scenes, our team will help the grand-prize winner prepare their artwork for large-format production. That includes:
Color management (making screen colors translate to ink)
Scaling for readability at billboard size
Finishing so the installation looks sharp and lasts outdoors
Let’s celebrate the artists who make West Michigan such a creative place to live and learn. We can’t wait to see what you make—and we’re cheering you on from the pressroom.
