New Mexico Lottery Authority Zozobra 2025 Scratcher Art Competition

For the last 100 years, the Burning of Zozobra has taken place in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Zozobra is a 50-foot-tall marionette stuffed with obsolete police reports, divorce papers and other items meant to be forgotten. He waves his arms and roars as his archenemy, the Fire Spirit, dances around him with a pair of blazing torches. Thousands cheer as the Fire Spirit sets Zozobra ablaze and flames engulf his paper-filled form. Staged by the Kiwanis Club of Santa Fe, this annual event takes place at the end of summer to say farewell to worries and troubles of the last year and set spirits ablaze with hope and renewal.

For the 101st Burning of Zozobra, the New Mexico Lottery plans to commemorate the historic celebration with a Zozobra Scratcher. New Mexico artists are invited to submit their Zozobra Artwork for a chance to be featured on the ticket and in promotional materials. Up to three Artworks will be selected to display on the New Mexico Lottery Zozobra 2025 Scratchers. Each selected Artwork will receive $1,000.

Entrants must be New Mexico residents and at least eighteen (18) years of age. Entrants may submit one (1) Artwork, up to ten (10) Artworks maximum. Artwork must be vertical and scale to fit the display area on the front of the Lottery Scratcher. Artwork must be primarily of Zozobra and must be an original concept created solely by the entering Artist. Artwork must not include any political or religious icons or messaging, must not display any inappropriate hand gestures, and must not violate copyright and/or intellectual property laws. Group Artwork will not be accepted. Selected artists agree that they will not reveal their artwork until the New Mexico Lottery has announced the artwork and/or contest winners. A selected Artwork entrant must acknowledge receipt of the email and submit a completed NMLA Claim Form and reproducible Artwork within the timeframe specified by the NMLA. Failure to submit the Artwork, completed NMLA Claim Form, and any additional forms or releases in the designated timeframe may result in disqualification, in which case an alternate winner may be selected.