The Art Contest is a regular feature of the ADGA Annual Convention and is sponsored by the Annual Convention host organization. This year’s “Get Your Goat” Art Contest is being hosted by the Heart of Maine Dairy Goat Association. As an attendee of the convention, this is your opportunity to “Get Your Goat” by bidding for one of these unique, spectacular, creative dairy goat art pieces. 

All Art Contest entries become property of ADGA and are sold at the “Flashlight Sale”, a live auction held during the Products Reception, with proceeds going to ADGA. This year’s Flashlight Sale will be held on Tuesday, October 21st, during the ADGA Annual Convention Products Reception. All awards and prizes will be administered by ADGA and presented to the winners following the convention. Youth and adults may participate. We hope you’ll consider submitting one or more entries this year! 

Participate in the Art Contest

Art Contest Categories

1. Youth Category, ages 5-18 as of October 1, 2025. Dairy Goat-themed, any size and any medium. If there is a large number of youth entrants, the art committee may decide to split this category by age. 

2. Graphic arts (expressed on a flat surface) – This includes painting, sketches, drawing, collage (on any type flat medium including canvas, paper, wood, metal, etc…) Must be matted with a protective sleeve or framed. Minimum size 5” x 7”, Maximum size 48” x 48” including frame. Please include what medium is used in your entry (i.e. watercolor, acrylic, oil, etc.)

3. Three-dimensional Art including sculpture, reliefs, mosaic, made of any medium or item/object painted, carved, or wood burned with a dairy goat theme; no size restrictions. 

4. Decorative arts – this category is associated with utilitarian purposes but shows a high degree of creative expression and decoration. Examples would include clothing, purses (bags), jewelry, quilts, pillows, leatherwork, dishes, and woodwork. 

5. Fiber or Textile art: Fine art that material consists of natural or synthetic fiber and other components such as fabric or yarn. It prioritizes aesthetic value over utility. Examples include weaving, wet or dry felting, embroidery, needlepoint, lace etc. No size limitation. 

6. Photography; dairy goat-themed photos must be matted with a protective sleeve or framed.

 Note: Defining art and media is not black and white. Many media can be utilized for art. If the article is deemed a quality acceptable art media, the entry will be gladly accepted, and the contest committee will help determine the appropriate category for it. 

To ensure the most accurate awards and provide the best competitive classes, the art committee has the right to combine or split classes at the time of the show. An example is that if there is an unusually high number of graphic arts entries, there may be a subclass of watercolors and drawings and another of acrylics and oils. In a similar manner, if there are only 1 or 2 entries in a couple of categories, it can make sense to combine those two categories into one, at the discretion of the art committee. 

Contest Entry Deadline

Entries must be received at the ADGA Convention Registration Desk by no later than Monday, October 20, at 5 PM unless prior approval is given. The cost of transport is that of the entrant. We highly recommend that if you are not able to attend the convention, you send your entry with a friend who is attending. 

Contest Judging & Awards

An independent judge or judges will make the placings. Winners in each category will receive $100 for First place, $50 for Second place and $25 for Third place. A Best of Show ($500) and Reserve ($250) will be chosen from the winners of the six categories. A People’s Choice Award will be awarded a Rosette in recognition. As many entries per category will be accepted from any individual; however, only one monetary award per person in any one category will be awarded (Best In Show being a different category). 

In cases where less than four entries are received, it will be up to the judges’ discretion to be considered for monetary award. The judge and show committee will determine If an entry is not deemed suitable for competition. 

Entries shipped to the Contest are at the sender’s risk, and shipping costs must be borne by the entrant. We highly recommend that if you are not able to attend the Convention, you send your entry with a friend who is attending.