Hello there!

My name is Alex, otherwise known online as Coffee Mug. I’m a cozy gaming content creator who covers all things Stardew Valley and cozy gaming related, but I’ve also always had a strong interest in technology and the way it continues to shape creative industries.

With the rapid rise of generative AI, I’ve watched more and more artists, musicians, designers, writers, and other creative professionals become discouraged about the future of their work. Some are losing opportunities, some are questioning whether their skills will still be valued, and others are stepping away from passions they once loved because technology can now produce something in seconds that may take a human creator hours, days, or even weeks.

That is why I want to create this contest.

The goal is simple: create a space that celebrates human creativity and gives artists a reason to make something they are proud of, share it with others, and be rewarded for the time, thought, and heart they put into their work.

This first event will be centered around Stardew Valley fan art and will welcome creativity in many forms, including illustration, painting, digital art, graphic design, music, and other original creative works inspired by the game.

I would love for this to eventually become an annual event, but this GoFundMe is specifically intended to fund the first contest and its prizes.

I have set an initial fundraising goal of **$1,000**, with the money going directly toward the contest prize pool. That amount is more than enough to give the event a strong start, but if the community helps the prize pool grow beyond that, even more can be given back to the participating artists.

Donating is absolutely not the only way to help. Sharing the fundraiser, talking about the contest, or encouraging an artist to participate can make just as much of a difference.

At the heart of this project is an idea I’ve started calling **Authentically Human**: supporting and celebrating work created by people.

My family and I have always had a love for technology and the possibilities of artificial intelligence, and I don’t believe technology and the humanities have to exist in opposition to one another. I want to see both grow together. Technology can continue advancing while human creativity, culture, emotion, craftsmanship, and imagination remain valued rather than treated as something disposable.

This contest is one small way I can begin contributing to that idea.

I’m hoping to officially launch the contest on **November 7, 2026**, my late mother’s birthday. She always encouraged me and my siblings to pursue both the arts and the sciences while maintaining an appreciation for culture, creativity, and what makes us human. Launching the event on her birthday feels like an especially meaningful way to begin.

The contest will be officially announced by **December 1, 2026**, regardless of how much funding we raise.

Whether you donate, share, participate, or simply support the artists who enter, thank you for helping me create a space where human creativity is encouraged, celebrated, and rewarded.