Atascadero Pride invites artists to design 2027 celebration artwork
Winning artist will receive $250 and featured artist recognition
– We Are Atascadero Pride is inviting artists, students, LGBTQ+ community members, and allies to enter a community art contest to create the visual identity for Atascadero Pride 2027.
The contest celebrates next year’s theme, “Out of Many, One Pride,” which the nonprofit describes as a message of unity, diversity, and belonging. The selected artist will receive a $250 cash prize and recognition as the featured artist for Atascadero Pride 2027. The winning artwork may appear in promotional materials, social media, event signage, merchandise, and other Pride-related communications.
“We want this year’s Pride artwork to come from the community itself,” said Thom Waldman, founder and president of We Are Atascadero Pride. “‘Out of Many, One Pride’ is about bringing different voices, identities, and experiences together. This contest gives local artists an opportunity to help tell that story.”
Artists of all experience levels are encouraged to enter, with an emphasis on Atascadero, North County, and the surrounding San Luis Obispo County communities. Eligible submissions include painting, drawing, digital illustration, mixed media, photography-based artwork, and other original visual work suitable for reproduction. Artwork must be the artist’s original creation, may not include imagery created with generative artificial intelligence, and must be appropriate for an all-ages audience.
Submissions will be accepted from November through January 2027, and the winner will be announced in February 2027. There is no entry fee. Artists keep ownership of their original artwork, and the selected artist will give the organization permission to reproduce and adapt the winning design for Pride-related promotional and fundraising purposes.
“Pride is about more than one day or one celebration,” Waldman said. “It’s about creating a community where people know they belong. We’re excited to see how local artists interpret that idea through their own creativity.”
Complete contest guidelines, the final submission deadline, and the online entry form will be available at WAAPCC.org when submissions open in November.
The organization is also hosting a National Coming Out Day picnic on Sunday, Oct. 11.
