Despite the death of its co-founder Michael Thompson, the International Reggae Poster Contest 2016 is putting out a call for entries for its fifth edition.

The contest opens for entries on November 1, and graphic artists have until January 31 to submit entries. The 100 best posters will be selected by a jury panel comprising design professionals and will be on exhibition around the world.

According to co-founder Maria Papaefstathiou, the objective of the International Reggae Poster Contest is to build awareness for positive reggae music, and to celebrate the global achievements of reggae and its impact on the world.

“The term reggae used by the contest encompasses all the popular Jamaican musical genres: ska, rocksteady, roots reggae, dub, dancehall, and the unique Jamaican sound system. We are looking for your talent and creative visual expressions, and we are very excited to see what designers can come up with in their original poster designs that will capture the energy and the vibe of reggae music,” she explained.

“The goal is simple… create a poster about reggae music — the rest is up to your imagination. Feel free to explore themes of reggae covering any one of the genres. Also explore and capture the many musical pioneers, singers, producers, institutions who helped to establish the music globally,” Papaefstathiou added.

This year marks the fifth year since the contest was established. The International Reggae Poster Contest is open to all graphic designers and artists internationally. Artists/designers are allowed to submit any number of original poster entries. Posters should not have been published in internet and social media.

The organisers further note that artists and designers will retain all rights to their original poster art. The contest shall have the right to reproduce and distribute to third parties a limited edition (fewer than 1500 copies) poster copy of each winning entry in a format of 50cm x 70cm. The contest shall also have the right to reproduce and distribute to third parties the posters in the International Reggae Poster Contest 2012-2016 catalogue/book in unlimited quantities and also for exhibition purposes.