Host City Poster Contest | Seattle FWC 2026

The Contest Process

We began our Seattle Host City Poster contest in August 2024. We did outreach in five languages (English, Spanish, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Somali). Initially, entrants were only allowed to submit a final proposed design. After some feedback from our arts community, we opened up the contest to allow artists to either submit a final proposed design or a portfolio of past works and a concept statement for the poster. We ultimately had 200+ people register for the contest. From the 200+ registrations, we received 42 complete submissions.

We organized a local panel of 9 community leaders to review the submissions and select four finalists. The four finalists were three people who submitted finalized designs and one portfolio submission.

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The finalists included two members of Native American Tribes, and the finalists represented four different cities in Washington.

The winner

Shogo Ota

Shogo Ota is a Japanese artist and graphic designer making his mark in the Pacific Northwest.

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‍With a BFA from the University of Idaho, Ota's creative journey led him to Seattle, where he honed his skills before establishing Tireman Studio in 2012.Known for his versatile style, he seamlessly transitions between large-scale murals, impactful branding, custom illustrations, and dynamic music posters.

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‍Described as a 'stylistic chameleon,' Ota prioritizes client collaboration, ensuring each project reflects a unique and thoughtfully curated narrative.His work, often infused with a strong sense of community, can be seen enriching public spaces and commercial projects throughout the Seattle area and beyond.

Learn More About Shogo