PUTNAM — Entries for the poster contest for the First Fridays event this summer are due by March 1.

All work must be submitted full color and fit into a 16x20-inch poster frame portrait orientation or will be disqualified. Bring art to Chase Graphics, 124 School St. Putnam; attn.: Jennifer Beckett. 

The First Fridays Committee is excited to take visitors to six iconic cities, exploring art, architecture, music, and cuisine along the way. 

Below are the descriptions of each city; artists interested in participating in the 2016 poster contest are invited to use the below descriptions to inspire their work. 

The piece that embodies the “artistic road trip” theme and most effectively captures the cities described will be chosen as the winner. 

May 6 – NEW YORK - The Big Apple – New York is arguably the world’s most recognizable city with distinct architecture and a reputation for producing iconic art. From the lights of Broadway to the gritty streets and alleys of the Bronx, all the way to the galleries and coffee shops of Greenwich Village, New York has created art with a global impact.

June 3 – CHICAGO - The Windy City – Chicago is steeped in history and culture with deep roots in blues and jazz music. The city is also known for its improvisational theatre movement, with many comedians and actors graduating from the Steppenwolf and Second City stages. 

With culinary creations like the Chicago Deep Dish Pizza and Chicago-Style Hot Dogs, this city is known for big flavor, sights, and sounds.

July 1 – BOSTON - Beantown and the Cradle of Liberty - this favorite New England city is known as much for sports as for arts and culture, with the Green Monster of Fenway Park and the hallowed halls of Harvard prompting the same national respect. 

Rock bands like Aerosmith, J. Geils Band, and Boston have all made their start here. 

Aug. 5 – SEATTLE – Emerald City - this seaport city became the epicenter for the grunge explosion of the early 1990s, making its flannel-wearing, coffee-drinking residents emblems of a musical and cultural movement. However - poetry, independent music, fine & experimental art, and cuisine all have worked to shape Seattle’s culture. From Pike Place Market to the Space Needle and beyond, this city has a personality all its own.

Sept. 2 – NASHVILLE – Music City, USA -  Nashville has long been the center of the country music scene with classic artists like Johnny Cash and modern musicians like Jack White, playing such venues as the Bluebird Café and the Grand Old Opry. Added to this rich history of music, Nashville’s food, including Hot Chicken and Meat & Three, contribute to the flavor of the city. 

Oct. 7 – NEW ORLEANS – The Big Easy - With its blend of French, Spanish, and Creole cuisine, music, and language, New Orleans is a uniquely cultural American city. 

Famous landmarks like the French Quarter draw countless tourists each year to experience the blues, jazz, food, and annual events that have made the city legendary. Playing on the voodoo culture of New Orleans, the First Fridays Zombie Fashion Show will return this month, drawing crowds from across the region.