Gulf Shores, Ala. — (GSN) — Gulf Shores artist Tara McMeans has once again earned top honors for her artwork at one of Alabama’s best-known coastal festivals. Organizers announced this week that she has won the 53rd Annual National Shrimp Festival poster contest. The win marks the second time McMeans has taken the title, after entering the contest for more than a decade. Her new design will serve as the main image for the festival’s marketing and merchandise, seen by thousands of visitors and locals.

The 2026 contest drew a record 44 entries, with artists submitting work from Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Italy, Louisiana, and Mississippi. A group of 40 committee members and judges met on April 21 to review the submissions and select the winner. Ultimately, McMeans’ poster emerged as the winner. The festival itself will celebrate its 53rd year from October 8 through October 11, 2026.

Festival Chairman Rob Barnas said the judging panel was impressed by the breadth of work this year. “The variety and creativity of this year’s entries were incredible,” Barnas said. “We’re especially proud to see a talented local artist like Tara win and represent the festival with her work.” Organizers said her design captured both the history and the spirit of the long-running event.

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McMeans’ poster is a mixed-media collage that blends several elements into a single, colorful image. Old sheet music forms part of the background, layered with newspaper clippings that reference the Shrimp Festival over the past decade. Torn paper and magazine cutouts are used to shape the lettering. At the center is a shrimp, which McMeans created with a palette knife, using layered watercolor and acrylic paints.

The designer said she wanted this year’s entry to stand apart from anything that had come before. “This year I wanted to create something unlike anything that has been done before,” McMeans said. She added that seeing her work chosen again is still sinking in. “I still can’t quite believe it. I’m beyond honored to have my artwork once again featured in my community. It makes me feel so good to see it around town on t-shirts and in local establishments.”

McMeans has worked as a graphic designer since 2000 and holds a degree in commercial art from Faulkner State, now Coastal Alabama Community College. She owns Design, Print, Promote, a Gulf Coast-based business. Organizers said her professional experience and long history with the contest helped shape a polished, memorable festival image.

As part of her win, McMeans will receive a $1,000 cash prize. She is also scheduled to appear at the festival for a poster signing, with the exact time and location to be announced later. Posters will go on sale beginning at 10 a.m. on October 8, the festival’s opening day. Pre-signed copies are expected to be especially popular with collectors, as they will be individually numbered to 100 and will carry McMeans’ signature.

The winning artwork will appear on the official festival T-shirt and other merchandise throughout the four-day event. Organizers say the festival, known as Alabama’s original beach party, is held each year in Gulf Shores. Attendees can expect food, art, live music, and more during this fall’s 53rd edition. A large group of volunteers has kept the tradition alive since 1971, helping the event grow into a major regional draw.

Additional details on festival activities, vendors, and the music lineup will be released as summer progresses. Organizers will post updates online to help visitors plan their trips in advance. They encourage fans to check the official website for the latest information on schedules, entertainment, and where to find McMeans’ new poster at the event.