BIC, a world leader in stationery, lighters, and shavers, hasannounced the kick-off of its flagship art competition. In its seventh edition, Art Master Africacalls on creatives across the region to explore and express their vision of tomorrow, using theiconic BIC Cristal. This year’s theme, Tomorrow in Your Hands, empowers young Africans to depictand shape what comes next in their own chapter.
Submissions will be accepted effective 22 nd April 2026 through the BIC Art Master Africa website. Participants will have three months to complete their artwork before judging takes place, followed by the winner announcements in the last quarter of the year. Entries will be judged based oncreativity, originality, and technical skills.
First, second, and third place winners will be rewarded by BIC – $2,000, $1,000, and $500 respectively. A total of nine winners from across the region will also be announced and awarded. Artwork of selected participants will be included in various art platforms owned by BIC, includingthe Art Master Africa Metaverse Gallery.
Commenting on the occasion, Paloma Lengema, General Manager, Bic East Africa said: “In its seventh edition, Art Master Africa continues to empower young artists and encourage them to express themselves through creativity. There is magic in using a simple everyday tool to create a beautiful work ofart.
We are committed to providing this platform for youth in the region and nurturing talent. From using a simple pen to create beauty, creatives can receive global visibility for their art, crossing borders –showing the power of self-expression, using just a simple tool.”
Art Master Africa was incepted in 2017 in South Africa.
After becoming highly anticipated withinthe art community, the competition expanded into the wider region and then into the Middle East.
In its last edition in 2024, Art Master Africa saw around 6,000 submissions from about 2,500artists from over 52 countries.
Art Master Africa stems from BIC’s belief in the power of creativity. The bi-annual ballpoint pen competition links back to BIC’s comprehensive approach to education, taking learning outside of halls in a non-traditional manner, and into creative and experiential spaces.
BIC globally is committed to creativity. Most recently, BIC launched its Virtual BIC Art Collection Museum, showcasing its contemporary art collection.
The museum hosts pieces of artists from around the world including Africa; Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Benin, Senegal, Ghana, DRC,
Congo, and Uganda. Globally, BIC hosts a platform, BIC Create, which aims to connect people from
across the world to celebrate creativity and self-expression.
