2025 Poster Contest

First Place

First Place goes to VANNA LAHER for their captivating design that embodies the festival's theme! This winning design will be featured across our promotional materials and displayed at the upcoming festival.

Vanna Laher

Hello everyone, I am an East Tennessee native from Dayton, TN. I come from a long line of creative individuals and have been drawing ever since I could hold a pencil. Thirty plus years of experience in everything from graphite, pen and ink, clay, acrylic and oil paints and most recently digital art have developed my skills and my eye for design. In the last couple of years I have found a passion for design, especially T-shirts, posters, etc. I have even been blessed to have my T-shirt design chosen two years in a row as the official design for the Tennessee Strawberry Festival. I am humbled by that honor and grateful for it.

I have a deep love for travel and especially learning about different cultures. My favorite trips involve those where I can’t speak the local language and I’m not certain what I’m eating! I love being immersed in the local culture and feel it gives me a greater understanding and respect for all people and the communities in which they live. I was excited to learn that we had a festival in East Tennessee that celebrated just that and hope to be able to attend this year!
I choose elements in my design that I felt represented the theme of “United in Peace and Love: Welcoming Communities” I choose to depict hands of varying skin tones to represent individuals and their communities from around the world. Those hands are all forming hearts, representing being united in love, surrounding and pointing to a dove with an olive branch representing unity in peace. The Sumo wrestler is reaching up to the hands to join in the celebration of unity. I choose to depict this scene over a stylized representation of the Sunsphere because not only does it represent the location of the event and the community that is hosting the festival, but also because the Sunsphere originally represented the coming together of communities from around the world to share achievements, technology and culture. I placed the waves under the Sumo wrestlers feet and the cherry blossoms at the sides pushing him towards and uniting him with the hands representing the varying communities uniting in love and peace. Vibrant colors were chosen for the design to give a feeling of energy, excitement and celebration!

Second Place

Second Place goes to LIZ LEE!

Liz Lee

Hi! My name is Liz Lee I am a local artist here in Knoxville. Art has always been my favorite form of expression. And what better way to do that than the Knox Asian Festival Poster Contest! As a second generation Asian American I love having the opportunity to create for this event! This years design was inspired by peace, art, and beauty that Asian culture brings to this community. I am grateful for my second time entering this contest and can't wait for the festival!

Third Place

Third Place goes to CASSANDRA BOYLE!

Cassandra Boyle

Hi! My name is Cassandra, and I'm an artist that specializes in maximalist illustrations! When I stumbled across the Knox Asian Poster Contest, I had to enter! Being half Filipino, asian culture has always been a huge part of my life and identity, and this felt like the perfect opportunity to celebrate through my art.

I wanted this poster to capture the richness of asian culture- its ornate details, vibrant traditions, and the way so many unique cultures come together to create something beautiful. I live in Hawaii, so I was especially excited to hear that this year's festival is including hula and fire dancers! I can't wait for Knoxville to experience that island energy.

This piece is packed with playful characters, bold colors, and hidden nods to all kinds of asian traditions. The longer you look, the more you'll discover!

Junior Award

We were so inspired by the many junior entries that we decided to present a special Junior Award this year. Congratulations, Abigail Li!

Abigail Li

My name is Abigail Li, and I’m a proud 5th grader at Hardin Valley Elementary School in Knoxville, Tennessee. I live with my wonderful mom, dad, and little sister. Art has always been my passion, and I was honored to win the Dogwood Arts Synergy Competition 2024 and 2025.

For this special event, I wanted my poster to celebrate the rich diversity of Asia—that’s why I chose a unique way to spell "Asian." Every country in Asia has its own beauty, traditions, and culture, making it truly special.

At the bottom of my poster, you’ll see hands reaching out—these represent people from different backgrounds, coming together in unity and celebration. We may all be different, but our uniqueness is what makes the world beautiful!

I hope you enjoy my hand-drawn, self-designed poster as much as I enjoyed creating it!

Judging Process

Our panel of judges consisted of experts in art, design, and culture, as well as community representatives. The judging process involved several key steps:

1. Review of Entries: Each submission was carefully evaluated to ensure it met the contest guidelines, including format, resolution, and adherence to the festival's theme.

2. Criteria-Based Scoring: Judges scored each poster based on creativity, relevance to the theme, visual impact, technical quality, and adaptability for different promotional formats.

3. Panel Discussion: Judges convened to discuss the top-scoring entries, considering both objective scores and subjective feedback. The final decisions were made through group consensus.

4. Community Feedback was taken into account through the voting process.

Ariana Bressler

I am a 12th grader who currently attends Glynn Academy High School. I have been drawing and painting for a long time, and ever since I got into high school, my art skills and variety have grown thanks to my amazing art teacher. During my sophomore year, I won numerous rewards for Coast Fest and the Georgia National Fair. I won first in the youth category in pen and ink at the Georgia National Fair, and won first in the youth category for Coast Fest for watercolor. I even got to the point where I successfully sold two of my art pieces at the Ritz Theater in downtown Brunswick. I started making posters and logos in 2023, and got really into making fun designs. The Glynn Visual Arts Center used my poster design for their teen art club, and the Glynn Academy Terror News used my logo in their video on YouTube. I think the festival is a great opportunity to experience.

Anatoliy Omelchenko

Anatoliy Omelchenko is a highly acclaimed graphic designer and artist known for his exceptional work in the fields of print, logo design, and poster design. His achievements have been recognized both nationally and internationally.
In 2008, Omelchenko's outstanding design skills were showcased at the IDA (International Design Awards), where he secured the 2nd place in the Print – Posters category. This success was further amplified when his work was featured in the prestigious Wolda 08 (Worldwide Logo Design Annual) publication that same year.

Omelchenko's design prowess has also been celebrated in the Logo Design Annual 2008 and LogoLounge Volume 5, where his innovative logo designs were recognized and featured. Additionally, his work has been included in the esteemed Graphis Poster Annual in 2004, 2006, and 2012, solidifying his reputation as a master of the craft.
Furthermore, Omelchenko's designs have been included in the renowned publication "The Design of Dissent," curated by renowned designers Milton Glaser and Mirko Ilic. This honor speaks to the depth and impact of his work, which often explores themes of social and political significance.

Through his versatile and visually striking designs, Anatoliy Omelchenko has established himself as a leading figure in the graphic design industry, inspiring and influencing designers worldwide with his exceptional talent and creative vision.

Karla Campos

Karla Campos is a passionate mompreneur with a deep love for design and art. With experience creating flyers for celebrities, TV, film festivals, and events, Karla combines her creativity and entrepreneurial spirit to craft visually compelling work. She is dedicated to promoting unity, peace, and love through art and music, using her skills to inspire and uplift others.

Thitinun Thuekhun

Hello, I'm Kat!
This is my second time participating in the poster contest, and I truly enjoy creating posters. I’m so excited for the Knox Asian Festival this year! It’s always a wonderful experience to be part of this event and share my creativity with the community. See you at the festival!

Ari Wongsurawat

Ari is an artist originally from a small town in Florida, but recently moved here with her hubby. Since marrying her Thai/Filipino husband she’s been interested in all things Asian culture and eagerly learning art styles, cooking, and more.

Amaria Blevins

My name is amaria and I'm a high-school student this year will be my third year going to the asian festival it's become something I look forward to all year I wanted to make a poster that looked like a piece of childhood bright fun and peaceful as well as putting the gold Ball in comic form, the doves to represent peace, and the chinese zodiac signs because they are nostalgic to my childhood and my local chinese restaurant cherry blossoms because I've always loved them I hope everyone can find a piece of there childhood and diversity through my poster

Shreeja Chandramohan

Hi, I am Shreeja. I am an Indian residing in United States. I am a stay at home parent of 2 two kids. This is my first time participating in Knox Asian festival poster competition. I am so excited.

Snow Chen

Hi there! I am Snow Chen, a Chinese American currently studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Austin, Texas. In my free time, I love bringing my creative ideas to life, whether through digital illustration, painting, or crocheting. One of my artworks is currently in the process of being published/printed in the Silk Club: QUIET! zine, which is a zine that includes creative works about Asian and Asian American experiences. My piece is titled "Petals of Tradition and Modernity", which you can view on my portfolio website.

The Knox Asian Festival poster I created was entirely digitally hand-drawn, and it was a very enjoyable learning experience figuring out how to incorporate the motifs and symbols into this poster for a visually appealing design. I hope my design effectively reflects joy, diversity, and celebration of Asian culture.

Sera Seely

I've been drawing and painting since I was a toddler. Though my first real "Gig" as an artist was painting a ceiling panel at my middle school. My work has been published three times, I've designed slogans for an apparel company, and I've worked on public art installations.

Wesley Newport

Hello everyone, I'm Wesley Newport.
I participated in the poster contest last year but wasn't lucky enough to win, so I've been practicing more this time. I really love this year's theme, "United in Peace and Love: Welcoming Communities." I would also like to invite everyone to the 12th Knox Asian Festival—it's the best festival I've ever attended. It has great food, amazing performances, and wonderful people. I hope to see you there!

Lanaya Guzman

I'm Lanaya and I've been drawing since I was young. This was a fun opportunity for me, more so because I've always been inspired by East asian cultures and artwork. So, this was a very fun experience for me.

Kim Wood-Bonds

Hello my name is Kim Wood-Bonds also known as The Bluehaired lady or Blue.I reside by the waters of Watts Bar Lake in Kingston Tennessee. I am a 65 year old mom of 5 children, Mema of 5 grandchildren. I am a multi media freelance artist and I enjoy creating using clay, wood ,scraps of glass, acrylics and watercolors. I grew up in the 70s (the Hippy era) .I enjoyed creating this watercolor poster free hand with the vibes of peace love and unity.

DJ Vang

Ever since DJ Vang could hold a pencil, she was often found hunched over papers drawing endlessly. Her drawings and illustrating led to painting and even dipping into graphic arts but she always came back to the basics-nothing was more comfortable or familiar than a nice clean sheet and simple drawing utensils.

DJ loves exploring different art styles and using a variety of mediums to create artistic pieces.

Matthew Amati

I am originally from Morristown, New Jersey, and moved to Knoxville after graduating from the Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD), where I majored in Sequential Art with minors in Graphic Design and Storyboarding. I am currently a Graphic Designer, and have previously worked in roles where I worked as an Art Director, Graphic Designer, and Comic artist. I have been drawing since I was around 6 years old, and continue to love all forms of artistic expression today.

Abby Cline

Acrylic-based painter pursuing the depths of the unknown of the art world and using my vision to bring the unknown back into this realm. I specialize in painting primarily psychedelic/fantasy, abstract, and even cultural based paintings. I picked painting back up during 2020 when I had plenty of free time to sit down and visualize what I wanted to paint. Ever since then, I have been painting as much as I can, and I have been enjoying this art journey thus far! Art is very important in my life, and it brings me joy to be able to create art for other people.

The painting I chose for this contest is one of my most recent paintings of a Geisha girl with japanese words that say 'My Love".

Sierra Williams

Sierra Williams is a 20 year-old college student who is currently attending a university in Kentucky although she is originally from California. She is currently in an entry level design class and was inspired by her professor, Jeremiah Massengale, to try her hand at designing a real-life poster. This is her first graphic design competition. She hopes to win, but ultimately cares more about the experience of participating in such a cool design process.

Hannah Schadler

This design was created by Hannah Schadler and Sierra Williams as a part of an Introduction Graphic Design Class at University of the Cumberlands.

Hannah is a work-study for the Communications and Marketing Department at the University and is an English and Communications major. Sierra is an English major trying her best at graphic design,

Tao Huang

Tao Huang is currently a faculty member at East Tennessee State University. She moved to the region after practicing and teaching design in Mainland China and the US for the last 25 years. Last year her family participated in the Knoxville Asian Fest for the first time and was overwhelmed by joy and gratitude. So much love for our Asian cultures!

This poster shows many hands dressed in different patterns and festive colors of Asian cultures (cherry blossoms, fans, paper lanterns, clouds, etc.), all stretching towards the Sunsphere in the World Fair Park. White doves arrive with olive branches. The wave patterns in the background signify the Appalachian mountains that surround this region. They also signify the music and dances that will be performed throughout the festival, as well as all the excitement that will be felt by every attendees.

Brad Keaton

My name is Brad Keaton, I'm a graphic designer & illustrator that lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. I've been working as a designer for 20+ years and have a vast knowledge when it comes to working with Adobe products such as Photoshop/Illustrator/InDesign. This is my first time participating in the poster contest and I'm thrilled to have this opportunity to share my poster design for this contest! Asian culture has always been a big influence on me as an artist. You can view my portfolio on my official website www.bkeatondesigns.com

Jacob York and Madelyn Lewis

This poster was created by 2 people, Jacob York and Madelyn Lewis. We are both students at the University of the Cumberlands. We created this for an assignment but had a lot of fun with it. We believe it is really good and has a chance to be a great poster for this festival!

Francisco Romero

Francisco originally from Mexico who loves art as his passion and profession has participated in many events in his artistic career. For Francisco participating in this event fills him with pride because the Oriental culture is very interesting and culturally rich.

Viel Xander Olaguera

I am Viel Xander Olaguera, a first-year college student in Torrance, California. I am a Filipino who was born and raised in the Philippines. I started doing visual art when I was in 7th Grade. Since then, my artistic skill has been improving day by day. I am a visual art fellow of Angat Buhay's Visual Art program—a nationwide organization in my home country. I like joining art competitions such as poster-making, painting, etc. This is my first time joining a poster competition at Knoxville Asian Festival. I hope y'all liked my artwork!

Savannah Jackson

My name is Savannah Jackson! I’m 15 and a freshman at L&N STEM academy. I’ve enjoyed drawing and painting for a very long time. Art is a way that I can express myself and who I want to be- Who I am on the inside. I really enjoy the Asian Festival specifically because I’ve always loved asian culture, ideas, and all around way of life. Drawing art related pieces while showcasing asian culture is amazing and a lot of fun for me.

Janissa Ballesteros

Hi, My name is Janissa Ballesteros. I was born and grew up in the Philippines till I moved in United States when I was 9 years old. I have 2 amazing kids, Aurora 13 years old and Roy 8 years old. During my free time I love to draw, go on hikes, watch filipino shows/movies and go to festivals/events.

I drew the sumo wrestler with all the colors symbolize different ethnicity and different nations around the world. I also drew Great Smoky Mountains in the background to represent Tennessee.

Marcia Cheng

Hi! My name is Marcia Cheng, and I’m a high school student from Taiwan. I’ve been volunteering at the festival for several years in different roles, but this is my first time submitting a poster design! Art and design are just hobbies for me, so it’s been exciting (and a little nerve-wracking) to share something creative this year. If you take a closer look at the top of the poster, you’ll see the national flowers of all 14 countries participating in this year's festival—it's my little tribute to the spirit of unity and diversity that makes this event so special!

Roy Miller

Hello everybody, My name is Roy. I am in 2nd grade. I am from Nebraska. Just moved down here about almost a year now. My hobbies are playing maryville little league baseball, draw, play with my friends, My Ps 5 and spend time with my family.

Please pick my drawing. Thank you.

Amal Amzar

Hi, I’m Muhammad Amal Amzar, a passionate Visual and Graphic Designer with over 3 years of experience in creative design, branding, and multimedia content. My expertise lies in crafting visuals that are not only eye-catching but also meaningful—connecting ideas with emotion and cultural depth.

For the 2025 Knox Asian Festival poster, I chose a pink-based palette to symbolize peace, love, and harmony, aligning with the theme “United in Peace and Love.” Pink also evokes a sense of joy and unity, making the design feel inclusive and celebratory.

Design elements such as cherry blossoms, cultural wave patterns, and silhouettes of diverse communities represent the richness of Asian cultures coming together. I also included subtle traditional Asian motifs and vibrant colors to capture the festive energy of the event. The overall layout is clean, fluid, and balanced to reflect unity in diversity.

This poster reflects my creative vision—blending cultural identity with modern design—to deliver a powerful message of togetherness.

Tori Marmon

My name is Tori Marmon and I'm an East Tennessee native who has recently moved back to the Knoxville area after living and working as a teacher in Japan for 17 years. When I learned about this poster contest, I felt compelled to take the opportunity to artistically express my own personal East Tennessee and Asia connection.

In university, I majored in Mass Communications and double minored in Japanese Language and Art with a focus on commercial art and Asian art history. After graduating, I joined the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program and found that I really liked being a teacher. My passion has always been communication and the many forms it takes. I especially value art as a tool for communication and cultural exchange. One of my most beloved pastimes over the years has been traveling to international art events all over Japan and I'm excited to see and experience the artistic and cultural expression at this year's Knox Asian Festival.

I have many sources of inspiration for my poster design, but the basic concept is that of a cute and colorful sticker sheet filled with stickers that symbolize sumo, sushi, festivals, good fortune, peace, and love of community on an international scale. The placement of the symbols forms a circular flow that evokes the feeling of a round sumo ring. The circle theme also evokes connection, sharing, and community. I have included circular objects such as the earth, the Sunsphere, and circular motifs that are inspired by both Japanese crests and the Tennessee state flag. I have also incorporated some traditional patterns that are used in Japanese fabrics to represent how the Knoxville community and Asia are woven together. These traditional fabric patterns have various meanings such as harmony, peace, long life, and good fortune among others.

Aurora Miller

Hi , my name is aurora miller and Im 13 years old in 7th grade. I would love to participate in this poster activity, I love to paint and draw and would maybe one day like to become a artist. I enjoyed making this poster because i love the Asian culture and I think cherry blossoms are beautiful. This was such a fun experience for me and I would like to do it again.

Andi Azalia Audrey Aurella

Hi! I'm Aurell from Indonesia ❤️

I'm super excited to join this event because designing is something I truly enjoy. Through this artwork, I tried to express my personal impression and perspective on the Knox Asian Festival in a way that feels true to myself.

To me, Knox Asian Festival is a space that celebrates the richness of Asian cultures with joy, diversity, and togetherness. I wanted to capture that spirit in my design, staying aligned with the theme of the competition.
This is the result—the design you see above. I hope you like it!

Warm greetings from Indonesia 🥰

Ning Sun

Hello my name is Ning and I am a current senior attending the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. I have attended the Knox Asian Festival for the past 2 years ever since finding out about the event during my sophomore year. To say I’m amazed is an understatement for the amount of cultural representation and wonderful performances I’ve enjoyed in the festival. Growing up, I have been interested in visual arts and would draw and doodle on pages whenever I get the chance. The style of Japanese woodblock prints as well as elements of animation have always been a strong inspiration for me in my artistic journey, so for this poster, I wanted to combine the amazing past experiences I’ve had within the festival with my artistic passions. I hope everyone will continue to enjoy the festival this year as well!

Margarita McClure

They let me win last year? Maybe the judges were having a sugar rush 😊. Not letting that artistic fluke go to my head, I'm back to try my Photoshop and Illustrator skills again this year. Last year was my first time at the festival as a vendor – had a blast and sold out of pretty much everything! Seriously stoked for the Knoxville Asian Festival; it's the one place where my obsession with feeding people is not only accepted but encouraged. Prepare for another Filipino/Asian cookie and treats invasion this year!

Tynisa Fox

Hello. My name is Tynisa. I'm currently a sophomore in college, majoring in graphic design and minoring in Japanese! I wanted to enter the contest because I wanted to merge my two passions into one cohesive piece.

I was inspired by Japanese designer Tadanori Yokoo and Swiss designer Julien Wulff. I referenced the framing common in Yokoo’s work along with the color palette Wulff designed. I wanted to emphasize shape and structure to give the poster a slightly abstract feel. Specifically in the crowd, I wanted the people to be circles to represent unity despite differences.

Thanks so much for reading! Enjoy the festival 🙂

Nicole Pete

Hello! My name is Nicole! 

I have loved Japanese culture from a young age stemming from my early influence from anime. I hope to one day visit Japan and to learn the Japanese language. I was really interested in this contest as soon as I saw it and I hope to spread my art throughout the United States.

I am a self-taught California-based digital artist who specializes in Native American themed art. I am full-blooded Navajo (Díne). I started drawing when I was very young and was inspired by my maternal grandfather. I have illustrated children’s books to teach the children of my tribe their native language. I has also been featured in magazine publications and has created a book cover. In my free time, I enjoy playing video games and watching anime.

There is a word in the Navajo culture, “Hózhó,” which is described to be the most important word in the Navajo language and is loosely translated as peace, balance, beauty and harmony. To be in “Hózhó” is to be at one with and a part of the world around you. I hope to convey that feeling through my artwork. I wish for viewers of my artwork to feel at peace and to find balance. Beauty is a central theme in Navajo culture, but it does not apply as much to physical beauty but rather beauty beyond the senses. It symbolizes the process of living a harmonious life while performing good acts in the world.
It is my hope that this festival will be a huge success!

PJ Clark

My name is PJ and I am a Tennessean interested in Asian culture and cuisine! I just began my journey pursuing my Digital Media degree over at ETSU. I have a long history with working with others to make art and promotional materials, and am proof that together we are stronger than when we strike out on our own. Completing my second level Japanese class this semester; I'm taking a trip to Japan with my class where we will see sumo in person too! I am thoroughly excited to shake hands with so many inspiring people and look forward to working with any of you someday!

NURUL AMIRAH

I am a passionate drawing artist from Malaysia with over 4 years of experience in crafting intricate and expressive illustrations. My work blends fine line detailing with bold creative storytelling, often inspired by nature, emotions, and culture. My unique artistic style brings life to paper with every thoughtful stroke.

Jyizela Bajit

My name is Jyizela, and I am a passionate young artist. Self-taught, I've been creating art my whole life, exploring both traditional and digital mediums. I enjoy doodling, sketching, and experimenting with various artistic styles and techniques. My experience spans graphite, charcoal, crayon, colored pencils, clay, markers, and digital animation, as well as acrylic and watercolor painting.

I continuously challenge myself by entering competitions and expanding my skills. In 2023, I showcased an animated short film at my middle school's talent show. Most recently, I participated in The Colors of the Earth: National Art Competition and was honored with the "Creative Visionary Award." Engaging in contests and dedicated practice has helped me grow as an artist, refine my techniques, and broaden my artistic horizons.

Tryniti Nance

Hi! My name is Tryniti Nance and I am a junior at Bearden High School, I am a digital arts student. This is my first time participating in a contest. Art has always been my passion, so it is an honor to show off my skills for the first time!

For my poster I decided to anthropomorphize the Sunsphere, in an anime-like style, and I gave her a best friend who happens to be a sumo wrestler. The poster itself is supposed to give a 80s feel, due to the fact that Sunsphere was built in the 1980s to represent unity and spirit for the World’s Fair. The Sunsphere is wearing a lotus flower in preparation for the Asian Festival; which, she will be happily observing from afar alongside her sumo companion.

Mary Jess Holt

Hello, I'm MJ! I am a Chinese American student at Belmont University. I am the secretary of the Chinese Club, and I have always had a passion for teaching others about its rich culture! I have enjoyed doing art, whether watercolor, pencil, or digital, since I was a kid. Art has always helped me relax and bring out my creative side. Previously, I have had some of my artwork in the Frist Art Museum, created designs for school logos, and won some art competitions. Nowadays, I find myself making less of it because of school. However, this contest has helped me get my creative juices flowing again! I also organize an art camp with my mom over the summers to let children experience art outside the classroom, specifically for underprivileged children without access or money for art supplies. I didn't know about this festival until I learned about this contest, so I will definitely be marking my calendar to go!

Karuna Chen

Hi! I'm Karuna, a sophomore in high school. I am passionate about digital art, and I had a lot of fun designing this poster! I was first introduced to the Knox Asian Festival as a child, and I look forward to attending it every year. I hope to make more fond memories at this festival in the upcoming years!