2026 Napkin Sketch Competition

AIA New Jersey Emerging Professionals Community (EPiC)

Call for submissions · Deadline: October 21, 2026

Celebrate New Jersey architecture—one napkin at a time! AIA New Jersey’s Emerging Professionals Community invites architecture students and young professionals to enter its third annual Napkin Sketch Competition.

This year’s theme is architecture in New Jersey. Submit up to two hand-drawn sketches of your favorite New Jersey buildings on 5 × 5-inch napkins.

Who Can Enter

Young Professionals
Licensed or unlicensed professionals with fewer than 10 years of experience.

Architectural Students
Students enrolled in a college architectural program.

Submission Requirements

• Each sketch must depict a building in New Jersey.
• Sketches must be drawn by hand on a 5 × 5-inch napkin.
• Use black ink only.
• Submit one clear image of each sketch, with a scale visible to demonstrate the napkin’s 5 × 5-inch dimensions.
• Maximum of two sketches per person.

How to Submit

Email your submission to [email protected] with the subject line “Napkin Sketch.”

Include:

• Your name
• The name and location of the building you sketched
• Your entry category: Young Professionals or Architectural Students
• Your sketch image, with a scale visible

Submission deadline: October 21, 2026

Prizes

Young Professionals

• First prize: $263 — covers one ARE exam
• One runner-up

Architectural Students

• First prize: $150
• One runner-up

Winner Announcement

Winners will be announced at the EPiC Party on November 4, 2026.

Contact

For submissions and inquiries: [email protected]

Organized by AIA New Jersey Emerging Professionals Community (EPiC)