Arts Contest Rules

Winter Dreams Art Challenge

Good to know

Welcome to the "Winter Dreams Art Challenge"!

When winternights become long enough, the border between dreams and reality begins to disappear. Snow-covered landscapes, endless nights, strange reflections, and mysterious dreams create a world where anything can happen.

This challenge invites you to create an artwork inspired by a winter dream – a world that maybe beautiful, surreal, mysterious, disturbing, or completely impossible.

Let your imagination take you somewhere between sleep and reality.

Before you dive into the details, here’s a quick look at the essentials to get you started.

Submit your work by January 1, 2027.

Challenge Objective:

Create an artworkthat depicts a world born from a winter dream.

Your artwork may explore:

a character trapped inside a dream;

a dream slowly becoming reality;

a world that exists only while someone sleeps;

a dream belonging to someone else;

a beautiful winter landscape hiding a nightmare;

mysterious creatures, places, or events that couldexist only in a dream;

or any other interpretation of a winter dream.

The only rule: something in your artwork should make the viewer question what is real.

Rules and Guidelines

1. Theme:

Create an artwork inspired by winter, dreams, sleep, nightmares, or the uncertain border between dreams and reality.
Both original concepts and works inspired by fantasy, folklore, mythology, or dream imageryare welcome, as long as the artwork presents your own artistic interpretation.

2. Medium:

Traditional only: painting, drawing, ink, watercolor, gouache, acrylic, colored pencils, markers, pastels, etc.

Digital artwork is not permitted.

No additional materials, 3D objects, or attached decorations - your piece must remain flat and self-contained.

3. Size Limit:

Maximum A3 format (297 × 420 mm).

4. Original Work:

Your artwork must be your own creation, made specifically for this challenge.

5. Entries:

One artwork per participant.

6. Presentation:

Keep it neat and clear - no frames, watermarks, or embellishments.

7. Submission Deadlines:

All artworks must be submitted and delivered to Aleksandra Čaka iela 58, Latgales priekšpilsēta, Rīga, LV-1011 by 1st of January.

International artists can present their works at the convention on 8th of January.

Judging & awards

Judging Criteria

Your artwork will be scored on 5 key elements:

Creativity - How imaginativeand unique is the interpretation of the winter dream?

Theme Fit - How effectively does the artwork explore winter, dreams, nightmares, or the boundary between reality and imagination?

Visual Impact - Technique, color use, and overall composition.

Storytelling - How successfully does the artwork create a dreamlike, mysterious, magical, or unsettling atmosphere? Does it make the viewer wonder what is real?

Overall Impression - The visual andemotional impact of the artwork and how memorable the dream world feels.

awards

The challenge celebrates imagination, mystery, and the strange beauty of winter dreams.
The most captivating entry will receive a special mystery prize and be featured in the event showcase!

Final Touch

Every legend begins with an artist

Take your brush, summon your muse, and bring a winter dreams to life - through your hands.

Got any questions? Email us at arts@unicon.lv - we're here to help!