Official 2026 ZozoFest Poster by artist Christopher Dalton. Courtesy/Kiwanis of Santa Fe
KIWANIS News:
He’s done it again. While we were busy with our worries, Old Man Gloom slipped into the royal chambers, ransacked the wardrobe of King George III, and waltzed out wearing the crown, robes, and scepter like he owned the place.
This tyrant of gloom thinks that if he’s draped in royal regalia, he can rule over Santa Fe forever—but just as a ragtag band of patriots sent King George packing 250 years ago, we know how this story ends. And it ends in FIRE!
The 102nd Burning of Zozobra is charging headlong into the 250th Anniversary of American Independence, and we need revolutionary artists like YOU to lead the charge. Zozobra has stolen the regalia—now steal the show!
Your Mission, Should You Choose to Accept It
The Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe is seeking Zozobra-themed artwork for the Annual Zozobra Art Exhibit, on display during ZozoFest from Friday, August 28 to Sunday, August 30, 2026, at Santa Fe Place Mall.
Picture this: Zozobra, draped in George III’s stolen finery, lording over Santa Fe one last time—crown tilted, scepter waving—while your canvas, sculpture, photomontage or fabric art captures his gloriously doomed tyranny for all eternity. He loves to see himself immortalized. Humor him. Then help us burn it all down.
What Can You Create?
Paintings, drawings, collage, sculpture, jewelry, digital art, beads, ceramics, tile, fabric—there is absolutely no limit on media. The only rule? Zozobra must be the star.
Imagine him in a powdered wig and breeches, proclamations in hand, demanding we bow to Gloom. Picture the Fire Spirit as a revolutionary torchbearer storming the gates. What if Paul Revere is galloping past Zozobra’s royal chambers, lantern held high, shouting “One if by land, two if by gloom!” The theme is “The Tyranny of Gloom vs. the Spirit of ’76”—and 2026 is your canvas. Need inspiration? Check out the Official 2026 Zozobra Style Guide.
Other characters from the Zozobra tradition—the Fire Spirit, Gloomies, and Torchbearers—are also welcome, as are works inspired by Will Shuster or Los Cinco Pintores. Please note that work with overtly political or religious themes or that references controversial public figures will not be accepted.
How to Enter: Join the Rebellion
Entering is FREE. Full prospectus: burnzozobra.com/zozobra-art-prospectus.
Each artwork must be submitted individually, including a description and a JPEG image (min 1,500 px on longest side, max 3,000 px). Name your file: YourName_ArtworkTitle.jpg
Multiple entries must be submitted individually.
Submission Deadline
11:59 p.m., Monday, Aug. 3, 2026
Click here to submit your artwork.
After submitting, you will receive an email with instructions for the delivery of artwork and pickup of unsold pieces. Artwork not delivered on time cannot be included.
Please plan ahead accordingly, as artwork not delivered on time cannot be included in the exhibit. Unsold artwork not picked up after the conclusion of ZozoFest will be considered a donation to the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe.
Come See the Tyrant in Person!
Join us at ZozoFest, Aug. 28–30, 2026, at Santa Fe Place Mall (western end), where Zozobra will hold court for his loyal subjects. Get your tickets, pick up merchandise, make your own Zozobra art, add your glooms to his frame, and take selfies with the crowned King of Gloom himself!
We invite our community to join us to celebrate ZozoFest and the Zozobra Art Exhibit on Friday, Aug. 28, through Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, at Santa Fe Place Mall on the western end of the Mall, where Zozobra himself will welcome his loyal subjects for a sneak peek of his awesome self. You will be able to make your own Zozobra Art, add your glooms to Zozobra, get Zozobra tickets and merchandise, and take selfies with Old Man Gloom!