Artists sound off after AI-created poster wins State Fair contest, $1K prize
In only its third year, the Ohio State Fair Poster Contest announced a controversial winner on Thursday.
To mark America’s 250th anniversary, this year’s entries were encouraged to embrace a patriotic theme while highlighting Ohio’s history and the Fair’s classic iconography.
On July 30, the judges selected an entry entirely generated by AI as the first place winner. The contest rules allow the use of AI if the tool’s use is explicitly disclosed in the process.
“Of the 38 entries received, 7 disclosed the use of AI,” said Ohio State Fair spokesperson Alicia Shoults. “The required explanation of AI use for the poster that was selected as the winner was as follows: ‘It was used to help get the elements arranged the way I envisioned them in my head and to capture a vintage feel that I could not replicate by hand.’”
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The top five winners were selected by a group of internal judges from the Fair’s PR Team, handled separately from the other art competition categories. The first place winner will receive $1,000, daily access to the Fair and family tickets, local media opportunities, and, of course, social media recognition.
One art competition judge from the youth category and a digital art instructor at the Columbus College of Art and Design, Victoria Douglas, took to social media to express their feelings on the matter.
“Digital painting is art. 3D modeling is art. Photography is art. Even python-scripted plotter-art demonstrates skill, passion, and creativity when it’s done well. That’s why I need to be quite clear in saying that Generative AI should have NO PLACE being rewarded in a creative capacity, even if it’s within graphic design,” Douglas wrote.
According to Public Information Officer Kennedy Porter, they will be reevaluating the rules and processes for the 2027 poster contest, which will include prohibiting the use of AI.
“We are committed to celebrating Ohio artists, with a number of other competitions that don’t permit AI, including the fine arts exhibition, creative arts competitions, mural contest, and plein air painting. We greatly appreciate the feedback from fairgoers so that we can ensure our contests can best celebrate Ohio artists next year and for years to come,” Porter said.
All top five posters are available on display in the Creative Arts Exhibits in Kasich Hall during the entirety of the Ohio State Fair.
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