MURFREESBORO – The need for an event poster ended up being a unique opportunity for four Chowan University students.

The Northampton County Chamber of Commerce recently teamed up with Chowan University’s visual arts program to create a poster to promote their July 4th fireworks event by way of a little friendly competition.   According to Visual Arts Chair Carolyn Phillips, the contest was open to the university’s sophomore through senior graphic design students.

“I gave them some print outs of the criteria and then those that were interested actually designed the posters,” she said.   A senior and three juniors submitted work for the contest.

Chamber President Brian Bolton said the organization felt it was a great opportunity to utilize local talent at Chowan.

“My thing was we’ve got a graphic arts department here and for me (it makes sense) to show it off a little bit,” he said.

He added it also shows local high school students that they can stay home and learn the skills that come with graphic designs.

“When Brian came up with the idea I thought it was a great idea,” Chamber Executive Director Judy Collier said.

After deliberating for a few minutes, chamber officials selected a poster created by Reuben Hewitt, a junior graphic design major.

“It’s eye catching, it sticks to the patriotic (colors) red, white and blue,” said Bolton. “And everything is on it that needs to be on it.”

Hewitt received a $100 prize from the Chamber for his work. His poster will be displayed around Northampton County promoting the Chamber’s July Fireworks Spectacular event.