For the first time in the 16-year history of the Audi Ajax Cup, Aspen Valley Ski and Snowboard Club has invited the public to design the official event poster. But with just over a week until the June 15 deadline, submissions are nonexistent.

Open to artists from ages 3 to 93, the competition is meant to celebrate community spirit and Aspen’s storied ski culture. 

“We really did not want to use a graphic designer this year; we wanted to use the community, but it has been crickets,” said Ash Farrington, AVSC’s stewardship director. “We really want to raise some excitement around the Ajax Cup, and we need the community’s help.”

The annual Audi Ajax Cup is AVSC’s flagship fundraiser, typically held each December. It raises an average of $1.2 million for the organization’s youth programming. With more than 3,000 local athletes participating each year, regardless of ability or financial means, AVSC has been a cornerstone of Aspen’s winter sports community since 1937.

“This will be our 16th year, and we’ve always had a graphic designer create something,” Farrington said. “This year, we wanted to put this out to artists in the community to design our poster.”

The contest theme calls for a vintage or throwback look that incorporates at least one ski racer and evokes a strong sense of place — think gondolas, snow-covered peaks, or downtown Aspen landmarks.

“We are super excited,” said Xanthe Demas, AVSC director of marketing and communications. “This is the first time we have opened up the poster competition to the public. We are really excited to see what our community can bring to the table.”

Demas said the club is deliberately keeping submission guidelines broad to welcome a wide range of styles and interpretations.

“We want the posters to capture the love and passion the community has for the ski racing history and legacy,” she said. “We are giving extra points for a vintage vibe. We love a good old throwback, but really, we are open to any sort of style.”

Final posters should be submitted digitally, sized at 36 inches wide by 48 inches tall, with a two-inch border and the title “AUDI AJAX CUP.” Artists may submit digital files or high-resolution photos of physical artwork, provided they meet resolution and size requirements. Submissions will be judged on originality, artistic merit, and how well they reflect Aspen’s ski racing heritage and AVSC’s community focus.

The winner will receive two tickets to the December event and the distinction of becoming a part of AVSC’s enduring legacy.

“We’re thrilled to invite the community into the heart of our event this year,” Farrington said. “This is a chance for people of all ages to help us celebrate ski racing, creativity, and Aspen’s vibrant culture in a new and exciting way.”

Artists can submit their work by emailing Farrington at afarrington@teamavsc.org with the subject line: “AUDI AJAX CUP POSTER SUBMISSION.” Accepted file types include PDF, JPG, PNG, TIFF, PSD, AI, and INDD.Full submission guidelines, templates, and examples of past posters can be found at teamavsc.org/Poster-Contest.