Artist Alex Beard announces the second annual Alex Beard Impossible Puzzles Contest. This contest encourages people to think outside the box and challenge their creativity.

Most puzzles have interlocking pieces that fit together, and some have evolved to 3D versions and computer adaptations, but the end goal remains the same: to recreate the picture on the front of the box. Alex Beard’s line of Impossible Puzzles combats the theory that a puzzle can only result in one picture. The Alex Beard Impossible Puzzles contest encourages people to create their own puzzle art based on original works by Beard. In other words, the final result should not mirror the picture on the box cover. Each puzzle piece can be rearranged into a new composition, a new outline, a new image—a work of art of the puzzler’s very own. In the Impossible Puzzles collection, some shapes have common outlines, so there is more than one choice for what can fit. The pieces do not snap into each other, but settle beside one another instead, making the puzzle exponentially more challenging. While there is actually only one correct piece that combines with its neighbors to assemble the puzzle as intended, the pieces can be combined in infinite ways to create new puzzles and new shapes.

To enter, go to a local Borders book store and find the Alex Beard Impossible Puzzles display. Then, create your puzzle art based on Beard’s brand new “Red Peacock” puzzle right there at Borders or purchase a “Red Peacock” puzzle and create your masterpiece at home. Once you’ve finished creating your work of art, go to www.alexbeardimpossiblepuzzles.com, fill out the submission form, and upload your photo. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on March 7, 2011. One Alex Beard Impossible Puzzles Contest grand prize winner will receive a new, original Alex Beard painting inspired by the winning entry. Twenty-five runners-up will each receive a signed copy of an Alex Beard Impossible Puzzle. Prize winners will be selected based on creativity and adherence to theme by Alex Beard.