2026 WOODEN BOAT FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
PRESENTERS | 2026 THEME: Sails, Rigging & Spars | STORYTELLING
BOATBUIDLING | HISTORY |MARINE SCIENCE
Get ready for the 2026 Wooden Boat Festival! Explore what's in store this year, from stunning boats and inspiring experts, to hands-on activities, live music, and marine traditions celebrated on the Port Townsend waterfront.
Read on to learn about the highlights of the 2026 Wooden Boat Fesitval.
FEATURED SPEAKER
One Sailor. One Boat. Around the World.
Josh Kali built his 19-foot boat in Tacoma, then sailed it around the world solo.
What does it actually feel like to cross oceans alone in something you built with your own hands?
Hear his story firsthand.
BUY FESTIVAL TICKETS
NOTABLE PRESENTERS
A rare gathering of voices you won't often find in one place.
LIN PARDEY
NEW ZEALAND
A legendary sailor who inspired a generation to go small, go simple, go now.
GREER JARRET, PhD
SWEDEN
Exploring Scandinavia and the Arctic in a viking ship.
MARK SHINER
SCOTLAND
UK Maker of the Year, Maser sailmaker, and sail historian.
JULIA JONES
UK
Author of Stars to Steer By - "The extraordinary stories of the fearless women who set their sights on the sea in an all-male world, paving the way for the femail sailing superstars of today."
SUE PENNISON
UK
Sue is a Master rigger and knot tyer, and serves as the President of the International Association of Knot Tyers.
THIS YEAR'S THEME:
SAILS, RIGGING, AND SPARS
When everything comes together, a boat comes alive.
Learn from those who make up Port Townsend's working waterfront, and many more experts from around the world.
Join us for a weekend full of sharing knowledge, teaching skills, and storytelling.
Qualifications
- Be a professional artist. This means a person who is critically recognized as an artist, who possesses skills, training and/or experience in an artistic discipline, and who is active in and committed to their art practice.
- Be able to provide an initial (draft) concept for the poster art by June 30th, and have a portfolio of completed artwork that you can submit as a part of the application.
- Be able to commit to finalizing and submitting an original piece of art for the 50th Wooden Boat Festival poster by September 1, 2026.
Guidelines for Art
Please consider the art guidelines below before applying.
The artwork selected will be used across various formats, including but not limited to: posters, t-shirts, hoodies, hats, stickers, coasters, pub glasses, and other merchandise used to promote the Wooden Boat Festival.
Our intention with the Wooden Boat Festival poster design is always to best represent the original vision of the artist selected. Nonetheless, we do ask that the selected artist consider the following in their design:
- A maritime- or wooden boat-centric theme.
- A focal point that draws the eye, figures, movement, and all other elements that may add energy or interest to the piece.
- Colors and/or subject matter that is engaging and visually exciting or interesting.
- Two-dimensional art piece required.
- Ideal formats include mediums that can easily be translated into digital files to be utilized for festival merch creation.
- AI-generated artwork will not be accepted. If use of AI is suspected, we will request that the artist show proof of process.
What the Winning Artist Receives
- $3,000 compensation for the 50th Wooden Boat Festival poster design.
- Artwork exposure on posters and merchandise, before, during, and after the 2027 Wooden Boat Festival.
- Artist exposure through social media, blog/newsletter, press, and a signing event at the 2027 Wooden Boat Festival.
Additional Information
- While all submissions will be accepted and considered, preference will be given to artists who live or have roots in the Pacific Northwest, and ideally on or near the Olympic Peninsula.
- Digital art and other mediums that will translate well to printed merchandise will be accepted. Northwest Maritime will take care of file handling for poster and merch creation, but may also work with the artist on ensuring the best representation of the art on the designs.
Finalists will be contacted by July 11, 2026. Only finalists will be contacted by Northwest Maritime.
Please complete this application for consideration!
Submit Poster Art Form
2026 Submit a Poster Art Form
