Well, it is my understanding that the boards were taken down because they were not used as much as they could have been used. If I were you though, and I wanted to post a topic that was a sprite competion, I would post it in the Graphic Arts section. If it is about The Legend of Zelda, then put it in Zelda Graphic Arts, otherwise put it in Misc. Graphic Arts.
I would not see why anyone would put a sprite competition in off-topic, Infinitus, but whatever really.