The City of Palmdale’s Innovation & Environmental Division in partnership with Energy for Palmdale’s Independent Choice (EPIC) is excited to announce the launch of its Bytes and Blooms Digital Art Contest. This new community-wide competition, funded by the California Emerging Technology Fund, invites artists of all skill levels to submit original digital artwork that celebrates the theme of how technology and nature can coexist in creative, sustainable, and accessible ways.

This creative initiative is part of the City’s broader commitment to building community and promoting digital equity, recognizing that access to technology and digital literacy are essential to a sustainable future. Through this contest, the City aims to bridge the gap between clean technology advocacy and digital innovation, offering Palmdale residents new ways to engage with their community.

Artists are encouraged to submit original digital pieces across four age group categories: 

  • Elementary (5-10 years old)
  • Middle school (11-14 years old)
  • High school (14-18 years old)
  • Adults (19 years and older)

The contest is open to all Palmdale residents and EPIC customers, with exciting prizes available for first, second and third place winners in each age category.

  • First place: A digital device (iPad Air with Apple Pencil for elementary; refurbished laptop with new drawing tablet for all other categories), equipped with a graphic design app (Procreate or Clip Studio Paint), access to virtual digital art classes and artwork displayed in the Development Service Building for 2-4 weeks
  • Second place: iPad with Apple Pencil, graphic design app (Procreate), and access to virtual digital art classes
  • Third place: Refurbished iPad with Apple Pencil, graphic design app (Procreate), and access to virtual digital art classes

Artwork must be created using digital tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Procreate, Corel Painter, Clip Studio Paint, GIMP, Krita or other digital painting/illustration programs, and should be submitted in JPEG, PNG, or TIFF format. Submissions must be in 16:9 ratio (1920 x 1080 pixels) with file sizes no more than 50 megabytes. All submissions must be 100% original artwork, with AI-generated art, AI components, preexisting characters or copyrighted material not allowed.

Entries will be judged based on theme interpretation, creativity and originality, technical skill, aesthetic and impact, and presentation. While technical skill is valued, the heart of the contest lies in capturing a meaningful vision that represents the “Bytes and Blooms” theme.

To participate, artists can upload their submissions through the City’s dedicated contest portal along with their name, age, artist statement of design in no more than two sentences, email address of the contestant or guardian, phone number and zip code. The contest is planned to launch in 2025, and will conclude with winning pieces being displayed in the Development Service Building lobby for several weeks.

Whether you’re an experienced digital artist or just starting to explore digital creativity, this contest offers a unique opportunity to combine artistic expression with themes of technology and sustainability. For complete contest rules, submission guidelines and regular updates, contact Envirotech@cityofpalmdaleca.gov.