Tea Box Design Contest
5th Anniversary Tea Box Design Request for Proposals
(Scroll to the bottom of the page to submit your portfolio or read more about the contest below.)
Overview
My Cup of Tea, Inc. is a nonprofit social enterprise located in the historic Orange Mound community. We provide jobs to women striving to overcome poverty by packaging and selling high-quality tea. While we sell more than 70 different teas, our most popular products are those included in our Memphis-themed line.
In partnership with the Orange Mound Arts Council (OMAC) and Regions Bank, we are requesting proposals from Black artists (professional or amateur) with the creativity and vision to capture the essence of Orange Mound and the mission of My Cup of Tea.
This document includes details about how and when to submit proposals, which will culminate in the chosen artist having the design printed on the new box; receiving a cash prize of $2,000; and being featured on the back of the new box with contact information, which will reach 500-750 customers. Additionally, as in the previous 4 years, we expect to receive substantial media attention.
Questions can be directed to Mike Carpenter (mike.carpenter@shopmycupoftea.com.)
Submission Requirements
Eligibility: Proposals will be received from artists who meet the following requirements:
- Black or African American;
- Provide a portfolio of visual art to include painting, drawing, photography and/or related media;
- A resident of Shelby County.
Dates: Proposals must be received by 11:59 PM, September 15th, 2025. After reviewing the proposals, My Cup of Tea, in partnership with the OMAC and Regions, will select one artist with whom to contract for the design of the new box. My Cup of Tea will provide feedback to the artist relative to the proposed concept for design before it is finalized.
Components of the Proposal: Proposing artists are asked to submit their portfolios electronically to www.shopmycupoftea.com/pages/tea-box-design-contest preferably in PDF format and a resolution of at 300 DPI, but not to exceed 600 DPI. Additionally, artists are asked to submit a concept description for the new box not to exceed 250 words.
Portfolio submissions should be in full color, unless some, or all, of the designs in the portfolio are intended to be in black and white, which should be noted. Portfolio submissions should not exceed 8.5” x 11”. Submissions should not include or anticipate raised or 3-D-type artwork. The box will be printed flat and on a gloss finish. The artwork must be horizontal, not vertical, as the boxes are shelved horizontally.
Compensation
The selected artist will receive payment of $2,000 upon acceptance of the new box design. The design will be printed on 500-750 tea boxes. A photo of the selected artist and an approximately 200-word biography will be printed on the back of the boxes that are sold throughout the Mid-South and across the country. The biography will include contact information for the artist. The selected artist and design will be the subject or press releases and media advisories encouraging local media to feature the artist and the design.
Artists to Retain Ownership of Original Work
The compensation received by the artist is a licensing fee allowing My Cup of Tea to print the design on a single run of 500-750 boxes of tea and to use that design in promoting the sale of the tea. Ownership of the artwork will remain with the selected artist. If My Cup of Tea desires to print additional boxes, then the terms for extending the license will be negotiated with the artist.
--------------
To download the full RFP with detailed instructions, box examples, and further information, please visit here:
Tea Box Design - Request for Proposal PDF
--------------
2023 Winner - Darlene Newman
Darlene Newman was the first woman to be chosen and her design called, "Home," delighted customers with a depiction of the quintessential Orange Mound shotgun house. For 23 years, Darlene has captured subject matter through lively
stylized human forms and bright expressive acrylic colors, mixing humor with positive images and bringing them to life. She has illustrated a number of children's books, has worked with the community on a variety of public mural projects and is creating and producing an animated series, Orange Mound Bound, to air on Roku and Amazon TV. She has had her work added to private collections throughout the U.S. and Singapore. Everyday, Darlene strives to fulfill her divine purpose as an artist. You can see more of Darlene's work at DarlenesArt.com.
2022 Winner - Danny Broadway
Mixing rich, thin layers of light and dark acrylic pigments with broad, energetic brushstrokes and vibrant colors, artist Danny Broadway exudes his talents by creating pieces that speak to a viewer’s soul. Danny contemplatively depicts serene scenes that entice viewers to gaze often upon history in the present.
Danny's creations span several media types reflecting an artist who is always in motion and striving to reach new heights with his talent. His focus and passion have been evidenced by his dedication to his craft since high school when a dedicated instructor, recognizing Danny’s diligence and desire, took him under her wing.
Danny earned a degree in Fine Arts from the University of Memphis. There, the University chose to commission his paintings as a major feature of the University’s Black History Month posters for two consecutive years. Danny’s dedication to the community is demonstrated through the use of his artistic talents to rally support for numerous charitable organizations. Broadway currently serves as Artist in Residence at St. Georges Independent School.
Danny’s work has been featured in galleries and venues across the country. Locally, Danny was chosen as a featured artist for the Memphis International Airport’s renovation to Concourse B.
To contact Danny or purchase his work, visit www.dannybraodway.com or find him on Instagram at @dannybroadway.
2021 Winner - Andre Miller
As an Orange Mound native and professional, Black artist, Andre Miller knew that submitting his design would be a great way to give back to the community that gave so much to him.
A diverse committee of representatives from both MCOT and OMAC chose Miller's design because of its clear influence from growing up in the Orange Mound Community. Miller said it was a thrill to be chosen to create the art for the latest Memphis-themed tea box, and that the whole experience was so gratifying.
My Cup of Tea named this limited edition tea Sippin' Soul as an ode to Memphis' "kings," W.C. Handy, B.B. King, and Elvis Presley who were represented in the design.
You can continue to support Andre by visiting his website, Art by Andre Miller.