2026 Poster Contest

Judging Process

First, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of the talented artists who submitted their beautiful and inspiring designs. Each poster reflected creativity, cultural appreciation, and a deep connection to the spirit of our festival.

Our Poster Committee carefully reviewed all submissions and engaged in thoughtful discussion to select the winning design. The process included both public voting—thank you to everyone who participated and showed such incredible support—and evaluation by a diverse panel of judges.

Entries were judged based on:
• Creativity & Originality
• Connection to the festival’s theme
• Artistic quality and visual impact
• Overall representation of Asian culture and community

First Place - CyaRa Pratt

The winning poster beautifully captures the essence of the Knox Asian Festival—celebrating diversity, culture, and community. This design will be featured as the official poster for the 13th Knox Asian Festival.

We are deeply grateful to every artist who participated and helped make this contest a success. Your creativity continues to inspire and strengthen our community.

Stay tuned for more exciting updates as we prepare for another unforgettable festival!

Cyara Pratt

Cyara Pratt is from Morristown, Tennessee and has an associate degree in Fine Arts. This is her first entry to the poster contest, but she loves to illustrate and annually attends the Knox Asian Festival. She truly enjoys Asian culture especially the music, food, and art.

Second Place

Megan McEahern

My name is Megan McEahern, and I have lived in the Knoxville area since I was 5 years old. Although I am not a graphic designer by trade, art and design have always been a personal interest of mine. My poster design is dedicated to my husband, Thomas, who is proudly Filipino-Lao American and encouraged me to submit my design for consideration. Absolutely no part of my poster design is AI-generated, as I feel very strongly that this community values real art and artists. This design is my way of giving back to the Knoxville Asian community, for the many ways that the community contributes to our city every single day in so many ways. 

Third Place

Anna Li

Hi, my name is Anna Li. I moved to Knoxville in 2017 and have loved attending the Knox Asian Festival each year. I’m currently in my final year studying Illustration at Sheridan College, focusing on narrative-driven work. I enjoy creating vibrant, texture-rich illustrations, and for this poster, I drew inspiration from traditional fabric patterns across various Asian cultures. While researching this year’s performers, I was especially inspired by the movement and energy of the Matsuriza Taiko drumming group, and wanted to capture that spirit through a dynamic pose and playful shape language. Thank you for the opportunity, and I’m excited to attend the festival again this year!

Festival Impact Award

Mami Sugiura

Hello everyone. I was born and raised in Japan, and I moved to Tennessee last May because of my husband’s work. Last year was my first time attending the Knox Asian Festival. I was so happy to see how much Asian cultures are loved and celebrated here.

Eating Asian food and seeing the powerful sumo match warmed my heart. At that time, I had just moved here and was feeling homesick, but the festival made me feel very welcome and comforted. I was also thinking about how I could contribute in some way.

When I knew about the poster contest, I thought, “This is it!" I have a one-year-old son, so I couldn’t spend as much time on it, but it gave me the chance to rediscover how much I enjoy drawing, which has always been one of my hobbies. I don’t have graphic design skills, so it may be imperfect, but I would be happy if you could evaluate it. In a time when AI can easily create images, I still found great joy in taking the time to draw something with my own hands.

I imagined a rainbow connecting Knoxville and Muroran in my artwork. Congratulations on the 35th anniversary! As a Japanese, I hope to continue sharing many aspects of Japanese culture with you in the future.

Clare Choi

Arthur Zdrinc

Arthur Zdrinc (pronounced like “Arthur’s drink”) is a Romanian-American artist who has been drawing since he could first hold a pencil. An artist through and through, he is comfortable working across disciplines and works in a wide range of media—including drawing and painting, photography, film, music, poetry, theatre, and digital design—continually exploring new ways to express ideas through image, sound, and story.

In 2022, he, his wife Cindi, and their fur-daughter Judi transplanted from Chicagoland. In 2024, their precious—and punctual—daughter, Sofia, arrived precisely when she meant to. 👩🏻🦊👶🏻

Sarah Bsisu

Sarah Bsisu is a multidisciplinary artist and creative enthusiast with a passion for all things handmade. She thrives on exploring new crafts and turning everyday materials into something extraordinary. This poster design marks her first official submission and she’s thrilled to share her love and passion of cultural celebration through her art.

When she’s not creating, Sarah is a devoted stay-at-home mom to two wonderful girls and a golden retriever named Maggie. She cherishes time with her family, especially kayaking with her husband, traveling and baking. For Sarah, art and life are all about connection, joy, and the little moments that make everything brighter.

Jane Kim

I am a Korean American oil painter and mural artist. I spend a lot of time walking in nature and love all the birds in East Tennessee. I have many pet birds and two cats. Subjects that I paint are fantasy, nature, psychology, and portraits (human or animal). I enjoy telling stories and capturing moods. My work has been in The Hive Gallery in Los Angeles, restaurants, and Los Angeles art walk. I have painted murals, painted commissioned requests of pets and people, and created logos. My biggest wish is to become a master in art, which will fill a lifetime.

In my poster, I wanted the colors to evoke love, peace, and unity. Flowers also convey this, appearing plentifully throughout the piece. I wanted the composition to be dynamic and full of movement so that passersby would notice. I used to read manga (Japanese comics) growing up, so the style is drawn that way to match the theme.

SUBHASIS CHAKRABORTY

An explorer in the world of designing who learns graphics designing through youtube tutorials and starts experimenting. Tried to make a design which fit all the criteria of this year's theme, eventually to bring understanding of 2026 Asia festival in Knoxville Tennessee. My experience is 3+ years in designing but would like to develop my skills more. Hope people will love to see my design.

Sierra Stanley

I am a 26 year old graphic designer, and I graduated from ETSU with a BFA in graphic design in 2022.

I currently work in production at a T-shirt company as well as creating social media content for my company's pages.

Yi-Chen Hsieh

I moved to Knoxville at a young age, where I completed my middle school, high school, and part of my college education. Although I have since transferred to The Ohio State University and no longer live in Knoxville, it still holds a special place in my heart as my true hometown.

Each year, I actively participate in the local Asian Festival, an event that celebrates cultural diversity and brings the community together. This year, I designed a poster that reflects my cultural identity and experiences. In my artwork, I incorporated various Asian elements onto a sky lantern, symbolizing hopes, blessings, and cultural heritage. Beneath the lantern, I illustrated recognizable symbols of Knoxville, representing the city that has shaped who I am.

Through this design, I wanted to express the idea that even though many of us come from different cultural backgrounds, we share our traditions and blessings while living together in Knoxville. It represents how diverse Asian cultures continue to thrive and coexist within this community, making Knoxville not just a place we live, but a place we call home.

Sera Seely

I chose a Koi Pond as the setting for my poster design because Koi Ponds inherently symbolize peace. The Koi fish spell out the number '35', symbolizing the 35th anniversary of Knoxville establishing their 'Sister City' Starus with Muruona City, Japan. The various Koi Fish with hearts on their foreheads coming together represent the themes of Asian Culture, Community, and Global Friendship. The background is inspired by Suminagashi as an extra homage to Asian Culture, and the lotus blossoms have peace symbols in them to symbolize peace.

Jeff Bell

I am a Knoxville native who is an artist, fine art photographer, and visual / graphic designer who enjoys hiking, yoga, music, theater and spending time with family and friends. As a member of the Knoxville Opera Camerata Board, I recently served as chairperson on the Couture Opera Show and Moonlight Garden Masquerade Opera Ball. Also a member of the Knoxville Symphony League, I will soon be inducted as a board member of that organization, With a background in theater, set, and special event design, I am excited that I have been invited to join the Clarence Brown Theatre Advisory Board. I enjoy the creative process of graphic design for mission oriented projects such as The Knox Asian Festival and I am happy to share my submission.

Marissa Wongsurawat

Hello, I have loved art since I was very little with “pencil, me!” as one of my first sentences. I’ve since taken lessons and also self taught myself many things. I love to try every medium I can.

I especially loved working on this project because it inspires me to put some of my favorite things and places together. I love Knoxville, and, since marrying my hubby, I’ve been learning more and more about the Asian cultures.

I can’t wait to learn and explore more!

Keith Young

I’m a transplanted Californian who has been in Knoxville for seven years. I’m third generation Chinese-American, a graduate in Asian-American History from Cal Berkeley and have always had a passion and opportunity to be creative. I love art (pen and ink, chalk, watercolors) and cooking ( everything from dim sum to sourdough). For the past 20 years, I’ve been a visual scribe, which is capturing in real time and illustrating speakers’ presentations at events and conferences. I’ve also been a pastor and in ministry for many years.

My poster is themed on lanterns, which represent celebration, gathering, special events and family. That’s what the Knox Asian Festival has been for my wife, Nancy and me since we left the West Coast.

Tiffany Phan

I'm a Asian-American who has been in Knoxville for 8 years. Even though I didn't have many art experiences, I did love drawing when I was little. In high school, I got to work on many digital posters for my school social media page.

Steven Phan

I'm an Asian-American who's been here for around eight years and though my focus of studies don't match with business/fine arts, I have taken multiple classes relating to visual arts and digital as well. Even if I don't see myself in the pathway of any arts, I highly enjoy doing it as a hobby as it lets me express myself in a different way.

Lillian Griffin

I am a 19-year-old, self taught artist. I create my art in multiple different mediums, but my favorite is hand-drawn digital artwork. I'm inspired by creativity in all forms, and I enjoy exploring new styles and pushing my artistic boundaries. I have enjoyed attending the Knox Asian Fest for multiple years now, and I was inspired by all the beautiful cultures to make this piece.

Timothy Curry

Timothy Curry is a Denver-based graphic designer and visual artist with over 10 years of professional experience in print design, branding, and large-scale visual communication. He currently works as a Graphic Designer where he produces a wide range of materials including publications, banners, posters, and environmental graphics.

In addition to his professional work, Timothy creates original artwork that blends bold color, storytelling, and cultural elements. His work often focuses on community, connection, and shared experiences—values that are reflected in both his design practice and personal projects.

He has been selected for public art opportunities, including the Ford Amphitheater Mural Project through the VENU Arts & Culture Foundation. Timothy continues to expand his creative work through mural design, and digital illustration.

Julio Hernandez

I am a Peruvian environmental artist whose work explores cultural identity and environmental storytelling through watercolor and highlighters. My practice has led me to exhibit in New York at Rockefeller Center in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme, and in Tucson through the Stray Dog Institute. I have also participated in public exhibitions across Europe and Latin America. My work focuses on creating thoughtful, accessible visuals that connect heritage, community, and contemporary perspectives. I am currently a resident artist with Milan’s Art4Women, contributing to a platform that highlights diverse voices and perspectives, where I share work inspired by the Amazon as a living, maternal force.

Reagan Wilson

I moved to Knoxville about six years ago for college, and while I’m finishing a degree in psychology, art has always been a part of my life. I’ve taken art classes in both high school and college, but lately I’ve been on a personal journey to reconnect with the creativity I loved as a kid.

Soyun Kwon

Hello, my name is Soyun, and I am attending a high school in Tennessee. I always like to draw and have been doing it since I was young, and I really wanted to participate in this poster contest because I love the beauty and art of Asia. I also draw paper drawings, but I usually work on digital paintings and post them on social media. And I am aiming for an art college, so I am participating in posters and art-related contests. I couldn't participate last year, but I am happy to participate at least this year. I usually draw in a more detailed and Japanese anime style, but since it is a poster, I drew it in a simple and cute style. It was a little difficult because it wasn't my usual drawing style, but I think it was a good experience.

To explain a little about my poster, I drew the main Japanese instruments and cherry blossoms to match them, and drew the national flags and traditional costumes of each country to create a feeling of harmony. I used a high saturation pastel tone to create a lively and catchy feeling. Overall, it was drawn cute and harmonious, I hope it feels like this. Thank you.

Liz Lee

For this piece, I intentionally stepped outside of my usual design style to challenge myself and grow as an artist. I keep entering because it pushes me to learn, evolve, and contribute something meaningful. I’m drawn to the Knoxville Asian Festival because it celebrates culture, identity, and connection in a real way. Being half Korean, this is also a way for me to stay connected to that part of myself, and to approach this work with care and respect for my roots. And honoring where I come from through art and design is and always will be my way to tell my story.

Nora Cade

Hi, I’m Nora. I’m 14 and have loved drawing since I was very little. This is my first attempt at entering an art contest. I usually work with pen and paper so digital art was a challenge. I love learning about Asian cultures! I have really enjoyed attending the past Knox Asian Festivals and can’t wait to experience the next one. I have had the pleasure of hosting a Japanese Delegate from Muroran and now have the opportunity to visit Japan for the first time this summer.

Remy Haywood

Hello I am Remy! I am a 19 year old artist and mother of a yorkie. Currently working and in college for graphic design at Carson Newman. I love creating posters and other various types of artwork in my free time. My artwork can be seen in the CN galleries. I have participated in a few art competitions but never entered one for design before. This is a whole new experience that I’m glad I can be part of.

Isaac Wang

I am in 6th grade and live in Farragut. One of my passions has always been art and I would like to show that in this poster. I have made digital art on Procreate since I was 9. My poster shows the many pieces of culture across Asia, including the Koto and Matsuriza Taiko. The cherry tree behind the Sun Sphere represents peace and stability in our society. The Hakucho Bridge in the background celebrates Knoxville's 35th anniversary with Muroran, Japan, as sister cities.

Adam Kiyoshi

A fiery spirit arrives in Knoxville.

2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, a symbol of energy, strength, and forward momentum, and it takes center stage as it comes to celebrate the 13th Knox Asian Festival. Rendered in bold vector style with flowing, flame-like movement and ornate decorative patterns, including the Chinese and Japanese characters for “horse,” it represents vibrant vitality and cultural spirit. The fiery tones also echo the spirit of the 1982 World's Fair, whose theme “Energy Turns the World” celebrated innovation and connection, reinforcing the message of movement, progress, and shared energy across cultures.

Overall, this poster brings together movement, color, and cultural symbolism to tell a story of connection. By blending Knoxville landmarks with meaningful influences, it reflects the heart of the festival, a joyful celebration of peace, love, and international friendship. Born in Japan and now proud to call Knoxville home, I work full time editing videos and creatin animations. I enjoy volunteering in the community when I am not studying for my MBA at the University of Tennessee. I have attended this festival for several years, and I look forward to it every year, and I am grateful to be a part of this community and country.

Renzo Magalay

Renzo Magalay is a creative professional with extensive experience in the fields of visual arts, layouting, and graphic design. For four years, he has produced and illustrated artworks for publication, demonstrating both technical skill and artistic vision. Magalay serves as Social Media Manager and Creative Head of the PSAU Office of Innovation, PSAU IP-TBM, and PSAU LIBUTAd Agritourism Platform, where he designs and lays out publicity materials and posters that advance institutional initiatives. In recognition of his artistry, he was awarded Outstanding Visual Artist 2024, affirming his excellence in the creative field.

Jesse Makapagal

My name is Jesse Makapagal, I am 23 years old and I have Autism. I live in Knoxville, TN with my family. Living with Autism has always been a challenge for me. Drawing however, has given me comfort and helps me to express myself. I’ve been drawing since as long as I can remember and my love for art has grown over the years. I was introduced to Anime, Manga, and Asian culture when I was 11 years old. My love for the Asian art style and storytelling has also grown through the years. I love how artists are able to express their unique artistic talent & implement their stories, while also embracing their culture. When I heard that the Knoxville Asian festival holds an annual poster contest, I was excited to enter.

For this poster, I wanted to express my art style with the performers & make the colors vibrant and colorful but also informative to viewers. I chose to do cherry blossoms because I felt those represented peace, happiness and harmony within different Asian countries. They were also just really pleasing to the eye. Creating the grass, the trees, and the Sunsphere were all really fun to do, and also a little bit challenging. I had to think of unique and creative ways to draw & color them.

Overall, I was really happy with how this poster turned out using all of the techniques & styles I’ve learned over the years. I hope that I can inspire other people to be creative in their own unique artistic way.