Call for Black Artists from Pasadena/Altadena to Create Black Legacy District Banner
Call for African American Artists in Pasadena/Altadena, Black Legacy District Banners.-due Nov 10th
Subject: Do you have a piece that captures what Black Legacy in Pasadena means to you? Our would you like to create an original art piece for this competition? We want to see it, and we want the whole city to see it too. The Pasadena Black Legacy District has been confirmed by the Pasadena City Council and is now the designated corridor along Fair Oaks Blvd. north of Washington Blvd.
The Public Art team for the Black Legacy District is inviting artists to help define how the district looks and feels. Selected work will be printed on light-pole banners along the Fair Oaks corridor, between Washington north to the Pasadena City border starting January 2027. We are working to keep the banners up for at least one year, so your work would become part of the street, not just a moment.
WHY ENTER- Your work, in public: contributing to the beautification of our neighborhood and shining a light on the rich history of Pasadena's Black Community as people walk, drive and ride along Fair Oaks.- Your name: selected artists are credited by name, on the banner itself for Featured Artwork.- A place in the district's story: you would be among the first artists to give the Black Legacy District its visual identity.
- If you are selected you will receive a monetary award of $450.
TWO WAYS TO ENTER (enter one or both)
Track 1: Open DesignFor graphic designers, illustrators, and letterers. Create a seal or logo for the Black Legacy District, a typography treatment for its name, or a full design for the district banner.
Track 2: Featured ArtworkFor artists in any medium: oil, acrylic, watercolor, ink, chalk, charcoal, collage, printmaking, photography, digital painting and more. Already have a piece that speaks to Black legacy in Pasadena? Send it. Existing work is welcome, including commissioned work you hold the rights to. You can also create something new. If chosen, your piece will be featured on the banner with your name and title.
KEY DATES- Entries due: Thursday, November10, 2026, 11:59 PM Pacific- Selected artists notified: Wednesday, November 18- Final print files due: Tuesday, December 1- Banners installed: by January 15, 2027
HOW TO ENTEREmail your entry and/or any questions to jessica.fernandez@parleeinc.com with the subject line "BLD Banner Entry – Track [1 or 2] – [Your name]." Include your files, the title and medium, a 2–3 sentence description of what the piece says about Black legacy in Pasadena, and a short bio. Please know that AI generated art will not be considered.
This call for African American Artists is sponsored by Making Housing and Community Happen: https://www.makinghousinghappen.org/north-fair-oaks-empowerment-initiat
Jessica Fernandez | Communications Consultant
Email: jessica.fernandez@parleeinc.com Phone: (626) 498-5430
