Ronaldo Macedo’s painting “Tita and Friends” won the 26th Lahaina Poster Contest.

LAHAINA – Artists across the island are gearing up for Lahaina’s annual Poster Contest sponsored by LahainaTown Action Committee and Lahaina Arts Society.

Now in its 27th year, the contest offers a grand prize of $2,500. The winning art becomes the limited edition official Lahaina Poster for 2016.

The competition is open to all artists. The artwork must be original and unpublished, with the image being a recognizable scene of Lahaina.

Past winners of this prestigious competition include Ronaldo Macedo, Erin Dertner, Jackie Black, Carleton Kinkade, George Allen, Stephen Burr, Jim Kingwell, C.S. Perry, John Cosby, Daryl Millard and Michael Krahn.

In addition to the $2,500 first prize, there are cash prizes for the Lahaina Arts Society Award, Most Promising Artist, People’s Choice and Honorable Mention.

The official Lahaina Poster is limited to 1,000 prints. These posters are a popular item for art enthusiasts on Maui and around the world.

The winning poster will be sold at the Lahaina Visitor Center, through www.visitlahaina.com and possibly at fine galleries throughout the town.

Winners will be announced at a reception on Friday, Aug. 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. in Lahaina Arts Society’s Old Jail Gallery in the Old Lahaina Courthouse.

All Maui entries must be delivered to the second floor of the Old Lahaina Courthouse by Friday, July 31, 2015, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.

Off-island entries must arrive between July 27 and July 31, 2015. The correct mailing address is 648 Wharf St., Suite 102, Lahaina, HI 96761.

Prize winners will be chosen from juried entries that will be on exhibit in the Old Jail Gallery from Tuesday, Aug. 4, to Monday, Sept. 7.

There is a non-refundable entry fee of $25. The contest is limited to two entries per artist. The work must be framed, ready for hanging (using screw eyes and wire) and available for sale.

Pieces that are incomplete (wet paint) or not ready for hanging will not be accepted.

For more information and an application, go to the LahainaTown Action Committee website at www.visitlahaina.com or call Lynn Donovan at 667-9175.