Introducing the Youth Design Challenge 2024: Your Chance to Shape the BMA River 2 Reef Ride Festival Cycling Jersey!

The Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday regions are gearing up for an exciting artistic endeavour that promises to elevate the profile of local graphic artists while offering a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase their talent.

This remarkable initiative provides an opportunity for a Youth Artist from the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday Regions to design the artwork that will be featured on the 2024 BMA River 2 Reef Ride cycling jersey and proudly worn by approximately 1,000 participants on Sunday 1 September and beyond.

 Linda Murry, General Manager of BHP Mitsubishi Alliance’s (BMA) Hay Point Coal Terminal, expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, "We are excited to raise the profile of graphic artists within our region, giving them the opportunity to have their artwork featured on about 1,000 cycling jerseys in 2024. This challenge is the perfect platform for young artists to kick-start their portfolio for a future career. There is so much talent in our region, and to showcase this on a larger scale with prize money is something we are very proud to be a part of."

 The River 2 Reef Ride jersey has been a highly coveted item by event participants since it’s inception back in 2011.

 Nikki Giles, BMA River 2 Reef Ride’s Event Director, says “every week we see past River 2 Reef Ride jerseys on cyclists not just in Mackay but all over the state. Our event participants wear these jerseys years after the event has taken place.”

The 2024 jersey design will be captured by the BMA River 2 Reef Ride event photographers, literally thousands of photos will be taken and distributed across multiple social media and marketing platforms with the winning artists’ design front and centre.”

Nikki says “The talented youth artist who wins this competition can expected to see their design pop up randomly on riders for years to come, what a great way to get your name out there into the public arena”.

The Youth Design Challenge is open to all high school students born between July 1, 2006, and June 30, 2012, within the Mackay, Isaac, and Whitsunday Regions. Submissions are now being accepted and will close on March 3, 2024.

Once the submission period ends, a panel of judges will shortlist the entries down to three designs, which will be presented for public voting. The winning design will be announced on April 3, 2024, and the selected artist will receive a cash prize of $500 for 1st Prize. The 2nd Prize winner will be awarded $250, and the 3rd Prize winner will receive $100.

This challenge not only offers budding artists the opportunity to leave their creative mark on the BMA River 2 Reef Ride Festival but also empowers them to receive recognition for their skills and creativity within the local community and beyond. Don't miss this chance to be part of a unique artistic endeavour that will showcase the remarkable talent of our region!

For more information about the Youth Design Challenge and the submission process, please visit https://www.river2reefride.com.au.