Whidbey Telecom has announced its 2013 directory cover contest for local artists and photographers. The contest’s winning artwork is featured on the cover of approximately 15,000 telephone directories, which are circulated annually throughout Whidbey Telecom’s local and extended customer base. This year’s contest theme is Northwest Favorites. They’re looking for all media and art styles that capture favorite aspects of life in the Northwest. All entries must be received at the Whidbey Telecom Customer Experience Center in Freeland by 5 p.m. Thursday, June 26.

The company encourages artists to submit their best works. The contest’s theme is open to broad interpretation. Entries can include landscape, figurative, impressionistic, abstract art, etc. All mediums are welcome.

The contest is open to all artists living within the Whidbey Telecom service areas that are at least 18 years of age. Entries will be reviewed by a panel of judges consisting of the company’s executive management, as well as members of the local art community. Artwork must have been created after May 31, 2012 to be eligible.

The winning entry receives a $500 award and publication on the 2013-2014 directory cover with artist credit and promotional exposure. The winning artist will retain their own rights to submitted artwork, but grant Whidbey Telecom permission to publish and reproduce their entry.

Contest entry forms and specific details are available online at www.whidbey.com/CoverContest and in the Whidbey Telecom Customer Experience Centers. Call 360-321-1122 from South Whidbey, 360-444-1122 from Hat Island or 360-945-1122 from Point Roberts for additional information.