St. Croix Chocolate Advent Calendar Art Contest – Official Rules
St. Croix Chocolate Company is seeking original artwork for our 2026 Advent Calendar. This is a one-time licensing opportunity for a single selected artist.
About our Advent Calendar
For over a decade the exclusive St. Croix Chocolate advent calendar has been a favorite tradition for our customers, both locally and across the nation. It celebrates Christmas in a progressive, welcoming, and non-traditional way that appeals to chocolate lovers of all faiths. Each calendar contains 25 of our signature chocolate creations that continue to delight year after year.
Prize
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The first place artist will receive $1,000 USD as full compensation for a one-time licensing agreement.
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Payment will be issued upon final selection and execution of a licensing agreement.
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Second and third place will be sent gifts from the store.
Creative Requirements
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Artwork should align with the St. Croix Chocolate brand: fun, creative, welcoming, and artisan-focused.
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Artwork should celebrate the excitement and joy of the holiday season and/or the beauty and fun of winter in Minnesota.
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Political iconography or messaging is not permitted.
Artwork Specifications
The final artwork needs to be 9x9 inches square. It will be printed on top of a box with 25 paper cutouts that open to reveal the chocolates inside. Each cutout will be labeled with a number, but you do not need to submit artwork with numbers. The template for final artwork can be found at https://aspecialtybox.com/square-advent-calendar-9x9x1/
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Artwork must be original to the artist. Stock artwork and AI-generated artwork are not permitted.
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Artwork can be physical media, including drawings, paintings, prints, and collage; and/or digital media, including illustrations, photography, and layouts, designed with the Adobe Creative Suite, Procreate, or Canva.
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Final artwork should be high-resolution, at least 300 dpi, and in an industry-standard editable file format such as psd, ai, eps, pdf, jpg, png, etc. We will work with the winning artist to ensure their work is print-perfect.
Licensing Terms
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This is a one-time, exclusive licensing agreement.
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The winning artist retains ownership of the original artwork; however, the artist may not resell or license the same artwork for commercial packaging or competing products in 2026.
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St. Croix Chocolate Company will have the right to:
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Print up to 2,000 Advent Calendar boxes featuring the selected artwork.
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Use the artwork in marketing and promotional materials, including social media, website, and printed inserts related to the Advent Calendar.
Submission Guidelines
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Submit a high-quality digital image of your artwork (JPEG or PNG preferred) to jason@stcroixchocolateco.com
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Include your name, contact information, and a brief description of your piece.
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Submissions must be received by August 10th, 2026
- Contest is open to legal residents of the United States. Void where prohibited.
Selection Process
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All entries will be reviewed by the St. Croix Chocolate Company team.
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The decision is final.
Additional Terms
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By submitting artwork, you confirm that:
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The work is entirely your own and does not infringe on any copyrights or trademarks.
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The final work was not created using AI tools or generators.
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St. Croix Chocolate reserves the right not to select a winner if submissions do not meet quality or brand standards.
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Submission does not guarantee selection or compensation.
