Call Description

WANT TO SEE YOUR ARTWORK FEATURED ON A BOTTLE OF WINE? 

The 36th Annual Messina Hof Texas Artist Wine Label Competition is the centerpiece for the 42nd Annual Wine & Roses Festival on Saturday, April 25. This year we are inviting artists to depict the theme of "A STORY IN THE
STARS." These additional words/phrases can help guide your creativity: celestial magic, celestial patterns, cosmos, mystique, and astronomy. To us, “A Story in the Stars” speaks to the mysteriousness, vastness, and beauty of the cosmos. The stars we see every night are the same as seen hundreds of years ago, yet each new era looks upon them differently. It is the same with wine; our perception and understanding shift when new insights are gained. While Messina Hof has always produced award-winning Texas wine, our varietals and styles ebb and flow with the drinker, ensuring we craft a portfolio that has a wine for every wine lover.

The Artist Competition has been a part of Messina Hof’s Wine & Roses Festival since 1986 and has continued to foster a connection between Texas art and winemaking for over 36 years. The honor of winning the Artist Competition is decided by the wonderful people attending this long-standing festival. The winning artwork is then transformed into a wine label that will be showcased in Messina Hof’s expansive and highly awarded wine portfolio. The name of the artist and artwork will be featured on the back of the newly designed wine label.

In partnership with The Arts Center of Brazos Valley, Messina Hof aims to support local Texas artists and give back to the arts community. Each entry fee is donated to The Arts Center directly to fund local programs that
further young artists' passion and careers. Messina Hof does not handle these funds in any capacity.

The Top Finalists are applicants chosen to submit physical artwork for the competition and will receive:

• An invitation to display and sell artwork at the Wine & Roses Festival on April 25, 2026, at the Messina Hof Estate Winery in Bryan, with a complimentary table. Over 1,000 people are expected to attend!
• A pair of tickets to attend our annual 2026 Harvest Festival in July and August.

• Invitation to showcase winning artwork in an art exhibition through The Arts Center of Brazos Valley

o By entering this competition, you agree to have your artwork included in The Arts Center exhibition if you are a finalist.. As part of the exhibit, your piece(s) will be displayed at The Arts Center facilities located at 4180 Highway 6 South in College Station. The Artist agrees to allow The Arts Center staff to install, maintain, move and reinstall, if necessary, the artwork for the length of the project period. The exhibition will run from May 21, 2026, to July 1, 2026 (Dates Tentative).
o Should you become a Finalist, a separate agreement will be sent on behalf of The Arts Center and is required for exhibition at The Arts Center.

• Invitation to have artwork on display to the public at the Art Fair in Downtown Bryan on Sunday, April 26, 2026.

The 1st place winner will receive:
• $1000 cash prize
• Artwork displayed on select Messina Hof wine labels along with name of the artist and title of the piece
• Artwork displayed in the Messina Hof Gallery among previous winners
• Personal invitation to our Harvest Grand Finale Dinner in August 2026 where the winning artwork will be officially presented to the public
• Social media recognition and online exposure on Messina Hof social media platforms
• A certificate for a Private Tasting for 10 people at any of Messina Hof’s four winery locations
 

The 2nd place winner will receive:
• $500 cash prize
• Social media recognition and online exposure on Messina Hof social media platforms
• A certificate for a Private Tasting for 10 people at any of Messina Hof's four winery locations
 

The 3rd place winner will receive:
• $250 cash prize
• Social media recognition and online exposure on Messina Hof social media platforms
• A certificate for a Private Tasting for 10 people at any of Messina Hof’s four winery locations

Contest Timeline

Friday, March 6th: Digital artwork submission, application, and fees due online at CallForEntry.org
Friday, March 27th: Finalists notified along with invitation to participate in the Wine & Roses Festival
Friday, April 10th: Finalists framed physical artwork due by 5:00 PM to the Messina Hof Estate in Bryan, TX
Friday, April 24th: Artwork on display at the Spring Wine Release
Saturday, April 25th: Attendees of the Wine & Roses Festival will vote for their favorite artwork
Monday, May 11th: Competition results announced to the public
Friday, May 29th: Remaining artwork must be picked up by 5:00 PM

Application Requirements

• Artists must reside in Texas and must be 21 years of age or older.
• Medium for final artwork is open to any 2D medium including but not limited to watercolor, oil, pastel, pencil, acrylic, collage, and multimedia.
• Digital photography will not be accepted.
• AI-generated submissions will not be accepted. All submissions must be the original artwork in its entirety of the artist.
• Subject of artwork must be visually big and bold and adhere to the theme of “A Story in the Stars”
o While we are a winery, we ask that your artwork not depict grapes, vineyards, wine barrels, wine glasses, or wine bottles. We want the artwork to speak to the theme, not to the winery.

• The initial digital submission must provide a clear indication of the final artwork. No significant changes may be made to artwork following digital submission. Any unapproved or significantly altered physical artwork will be
disqualified.
• Entry CANNOT contain Messina Hof names or logos, faces of people, nudity, weaponry, trademark symbols, words, flags, military or governmental insignia.
• The minimum size requirement for artwork is 24”x24” and the maximum size requirement is 48”x48”.
• For finalists: Physical artwork must be the original of the digital submission. No prints accepted. Physical artwork must be framed in a professional looking, wooden frame with secure and proper hanging hardware. Metal frames will not be accepted.

Eligibility Criteria

• Artists must reside in Texas and must be 21 years of age or older.