Our Community Cookbook will showcase Arlington's terrific taste as well as its stories, creativity and local spirit.

We invite artists of all ages and styles to help shape the look of our book! Whether you love colored pencils, crayons, markers, paint or digital tools, we’d be thrilled to feature your artwork that celebrates Arlington, community and the Library. The theme for our submissions is “Cooking Up Community in Arlington.”

With community input, our cookbook committee will choose nine winners. Eight winners will have their art featured on one of our section dividers, and one grand prize winner will have their artwork featured on the cover. All winners will see their art featured in the cookbook and will receive a free copy of the cookbook.

Artwork Participation Details

Applicants must be an Arlington Public Library cardholder, or eligible for a card. All ages are welcome to participate.

Submission guidelines:  

• The size for entries is 6 x 8 ¾ inches.
• Artwork must be vertically oriented.
• Please respond to the prompt: "Cooking Up Community in Arlington."
• Aim to showcase Arlington’s diverse neighborhoods.
• Entries must be submitted online or in-person at any library location by Thursday, April 30, 2026.   
• You may use any medium, including digital tools. Digital entries (JPG, JPEG, PDF, PNG, DOC, DOCX) are accepted up to 10 MB per entry.
• Optional: Submissions may include a brief artist statement of two to three sentences.
• Cookbook sections that will feature community artwork include:
  • The cover of the cookbook
  • Appetizers & Beverages
  • Soups & Salads
  • Vegetables & Side Dishes
  • Main Dishes
  • Breads & Rolls
  • Desserts
  • Cookies and Candy
  • This & That (Whatever you want it to be!)

Please note:

• Submitted art becomes the property of Arlington Public Library and the Friends of the Arlington Public Library. Submissions will not be returned and may be used for future library promotional materials.
• One entry per person