Second International Reggae Poster Contest Announces the Winners!

Theme: Toward a Reggae Hall of Fame: Celebrating Great Jamaican Music.

The Second International Reggae Poster Contest (IRPC) was announced on 27 December 2012, with the goal of generating fresh Reggae poster designs from around the world. Interest in the contest grew significantly, closing at the end of March with a total of 1,100 submissions from 722 designers representing 78 countries. The contest winners were chosen from 363 finalists by a distinguished panel of judges known for their creativity and commitment to design.

Thoroughly impressed with the outcome of the competition, the IRPC organizers (Michael Thompson (Freestylee.net) and Maria Papaefstathiou (graphicart-news.com)) are very pleased to announce the finalists, and the 100 best posters.

The winners are:
1st Place: Balazs Pakozdi (United Kingdom)
2nd Place: Andrew Cachia (Malta)
3rd Place: Lenin Baru Vásquez Felipe (Mexico)

1. Balazs Pakozdi, “Bob Marley”, Country: UK

2. Andrew Cachia, “Dreams of Freedom”, Country: Malta

3. Lenin Baru Vásquez Felipe, “Natural Reggae”, Country: Mexico

The objective of the Second International Reggae Poster Contest is to reinforce awareness of Reggae music and celebrate its positive impact on the world. The term Reggae encompasses all the popular Jamaican musical genres, including Ska, Rock Steady, Roots Reggae, Dub, Dancehall, and the unique Jamaican Sound System.

All the posters, not only the top 100, show the profound impact the music has had on an international level and mirrors the positive energy of Reggae, one of Jamaica’s many gifts to the world. The diverse entries are a powerful testament to the global reach and love for Reggae music.

The contest organizers and partners are pleased by the responses from so many participating countries, and while you can see the complete list elsewhere, we would like to mention a few here: Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Algeria, Brazil, Botswana, China, Ecuador, India, Iran, Jamaica, Malta, Mexico, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.

This poster contest plays a crucial role in our vision: the realization of an iconic, contemporary architectural home to house what tangibly will represent and document the achievements of Reggae. More than a contest, this event is a platform to share our mission with the world and a vehicle toward realizing the establishment of a Reggae Hall of Fame in Kingston, Jamaica. The Reggae Hall of Fame Museum will be a monument to the achievements of Jamaica’s popular musical culture, and the world’s first museum of such magnitude to celebrate the living heritage of Reggae music.

The Committee plans to generate funds to help support the amazing work of a historic Jamaican institution: the Alpha Boys’ School. The school is a jewel in the center of Kingston, and shines its light and its love all over Jamaica through the music of its graduates. The school has had decades of success helping young Jamaicans nurture their talent, many to become world-renowned musicians. Without this amazing institution and its successful music program, styles like Ska, Rock Steady, Dub and Roots Reggae music may not have been invented.

Congratulations to the 100 Winners!!! For additional information, and to view the 100 best posters, please visit:  http://www.reggaepostercontest.com/winners-2013/

4. Rohan Mitchell, Dubwise, Country: Jamaica

5. Pinelopi Vassilaki & Anastasia Verteouri, “King Alpha and Queen Omega” Country: Greece

6. Mingliang Li, “Reggae”, Country: China

7. Michelle Chung, “Music is a Stronger Weapon”, Country: Panama

8. Tomasz Bartz, “Don Carlos”, Country: Poland

9. Nichole Jackman, “Together As One”, Country: US

10. Jerry Neville, Tribute To the Forefathers, Country: United Kingdom