Trillions of microbes are hiding in plain sight,
Another world beyond what we see.
Some crucial to our health, others cause blight.
Did you ever think of how beautiful microbes can be?
In celebration of APHL’s Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month this September, please join the QIAGEN-sponsored Microbe Masterpieces art contest to showcase your artistic skills and win some prizes!
Create artwork of a microbe or microbial colony. Sketch, paint, sculpt, bake, knit – use any technique you like. Anyone who works for a local, state, federal or territorial public health laboratory is eligible to enter. When we say “public health laboratory”, we are including environmental health, agricultural and food safety labs too! Send your entry to PHLinfo@qiagen.com by midnight (UTC) on September 26, 2021.
- Every entry gets a free T-shirt and mask. Please include your shirt size and shipping address with your submission.
- The grand prize winner will win a catered lunch for you and your colleagues, a gift basket of QIAGEN giveaways and a mural of all collected artwork.
- Winners will also be chosen in three categories: Most Creative, Most Realistic and Most Inspiring. These winners will receive QIAGEN’s Gut Check Board Game.

Share and view the microbe masterpieces on social media with the tag #ThanksPHLabs and #QIAGEN.
View the QIAGEN-sponsored Microbe Masterpieces art contest terms and conditions.
Is this contest open to public health students?
Hi there — I’m sorry, but this time the contest is only open to public health laboratory staff.