USA Fencing

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Fencing rewards creativity on the strip, and those who master the artistry of their weapon will find growth, joy and personal success.

But a fencer’s creative artistry doesn’t have to end after the final touch. 

Introducing the USA Fencing National Poster Design Challenge — a chance for our members to create posters that visually represent fencing as a diverse, fun, accessible and safe sport for everyone.

We’re asking members of our community age 13 and older to create original posters that fulfill one or more of the categories below.

After the deadline (Dec. 23, 2022), those poster designs selected as semifinalists will be shared on social media along with the designer’s Instagram handle (though you may choose to remain anonymous). 

USA Fencing will then select from these semifinalists four finalists whose work will be printed on posters that we’ll display at national tournaments. We’ll also share them with fencing clubs across the country so they can print and display the posters within their clubs. 

And finally, one of the four finalists will be our big winner and receive a free USA Fencing Competitive membership for the 2023-24 season. 

Ready to get started? Here’s what you need to know before you apply.

What Kinds of Designs Are We Looking For?

USA Fencing is committed to providing safe spaces that promote unity and inclusion, as well as the ease of information around our sport. 

So we’re looking for imagery that challenges the status quo; promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging; and supports safe, healthy and respectful environments for all to enjoy the sport of fencing.

More specifically, we’re looking for designs that cover one or more of the following important topics:

• Anti-Discrimination (posters that fight against ageism, sexism, racism, ableism, homophobia, classism, weight, or other ways that people might discriminate)

• Fencing is for ALL (posters that promote unity and/or inclusion)

• Anti-sexual harrassment

• Anti-emotional abuse

• Mental health awareness

• Environmental justice

• Fencing for people with disabilities (including but not exclusive to parafencing)

We’re also looking for posters that help newcomers better understand fencing:

• How to qualify for national or international events 

• Why someone should try fencing

• Explaining the basic rules of fencing

Who Can Enter the Competition?

The USA Fencing National Poster Design Challenge is open to anyone 13 or older. You can enter as an individual or as a team of up to three people.

What Will the Winning Designs Receive?

Semifinalists will be recognized online. Their designs will be featured in a special online exhibition celebrating the creativity and commitment to DEIB of our members. These designs will be shared on social media as well. Any time we share the design — whether in print or online — we will include the Instagram handle of the designer (though you may choose to remain anonymous if you prefer). 

Five finalists will have their work displayed at events. Their designs will be printed on posters and displayed at national tournaments and be included as marketing materials for USA Fencing membership to print and display within their clubs. 

One big winner from among the finalists will be selected to receive a free USA Fencing Competitive membership for the 2023-24 season. 

How Will the Winning Designs Be Selected?

The selection committee, which will consist of USA Fencing staff and committee members, will vote on finalists. Finalists will then have a chance to meet virtually with the selection committee to explain their submission and vision for creating safe spaces within the sport. 

Tips for Creating Your Design

• Your sketch can be drawn in any medium by hand or using a computer.

• If you hand-draw your design, please scan it at high resolution (rather than taking a photo) so that we capture all the detail.

• Upload your design as a .jpg file (must be at least 8.5 x 11″ at 300 dpi).

• Don’t use any copyrighted or protected material in your design (but you are welcome to use the USA Fencing and/or USA Parafencing logo!)

• If you’d like, feel free to include your name and/or Instagram handle in the lower left or lower right corner of your design

• Be creative and have fun!

Note: If you are a person or with a disability, you may submit a written description of your idea as a .pdf or an audio description of your idea as an .mp3 as needed (200 words or less) to information@usafencing.org with “National Poster Design Challenge” in the subject line.

• Applications open: Oct. 26, 2022
• Applications close: Dec. 23, 2022
• Winners notified by: Jan. 20, 2023
• Winning posters displayed at Junior Olympics: Feb. 17–20, 2023

Application Link: Here