The Fiesta San Antonio Commission is moving up the deadline for its annual poster contest to July 11.

Artists at least 18 years old who live within 60 miles of San Antonio have until then to deliver their artwork to the Art Incorporated Gallery of Fine Art.

Each entry must be an original, two-dimensional work submitted by a single artist. The Fiesta Commission is encouraging artists to enter traditional media (oil/acrylic/tempera, watercolors, illustrations, prints, etc.) as well as computer-generated works. A copy of the Call for Entries is available here.

The winning poster defines the “look” for many Fiesta merchandise items: t-shirts, baseball caps, ornaments, the official Fiesta poster pin and much more.

The commission has a practical reason for changing the deadline from August to mid-July, said Executive Director Chuck Blische. The extra time gives staff members more flexibility in dealing will merchandise suppliers.

Art Incorporated, 9401 San Pedro Ave., will accept entries through noon July 10. The gallery, in conjunction with the San Antonio Art Gallery Association and the Fiesta Commission, will select up to 10 semifinalists, and the Fiesta Commission is to choose the winner later that month.

The winning artist will receive $5,000, be honored at the Fiesta San Antonio 2010 Poster Unveiling and be recognized in the Fiesta 2009 Magazine. The artist also makes a number of appearances at The Fiesta Store® and other locations.

Additional information is available at the commission office, 2611 Broadway, (210) 227-5191 or fiesta@fiesta-sa.org.