AUArts Alum Creates 2024 Calgary Stampede Poster

An AUArts alum is the winning artist of the Youth Poster Competition and receives a $10,000 scholarship!

The Calgary Stampede proudly unveiled the 2024 Stampede Poster artwork, created by 22-year-old Calgarian and recent AUArts graduate Lloyd Templeton (BDes '23, VCD). AUArts alumni have created the Stampede Posters before, including the 2023 one created by Brooklyn Payne (BFA ’22, Painting).

The inspiration behind the 2024 poster

The 2024 Poster offers a unique view of the historic Stampede Parade. Stoney Nakoda Tipi Holder Duane Mark is shown riding in the foreground, while a diverse group of Parade participants and spectators comprise a landscape along the downtown Calgary Parade route.

Duane is a Stoney language and cultural instructor passionate about preserving and sharing the Stoney Nakoda language. He collaborated with the artist on the piece’s title, ‘Wîchîspa Skadabi Odâginabi’, and the two formed a friendship. The phrase translates to ‘Celebrating the Calgary Stampede’, and the composition captures the Parade’s community spirit and storied history.

“My memories of the parade from when I was a little boy are vivid,” says Lloyd, a recent Alberta University of the Arts graduate. “I can feel the warmth of the rising sun, the anticipation, and how the spectacle of horses filling the city streets evoked awe in me. I felt very much a part of the community and the celebration. I hope to evoke similar warm memories in others or spark a desire in them to experience that awe for themselves.”

Discover the Calgary Stampede Poster Competition

This is the sixth year the Calgary Stampede has engaged youth in a unique learning and development opportunity. The Calgary Stampede Poster Competition is one of the largest art scholarships in Canada. This is the third time Lloyd has competed in the process, and says the experience has helped him develop as an illustrator and painter.

As the winning artist of the Youth Poster Competition, Lloyd receives the $10,000 Dustin Peers Memorial Scholarship, generously funded by the Brandon Flock Foundation. The Brandon Flock Foundation provides an additional $10,000 in scholarships to the top eight in the competition annually, making the competition one of the largest art scholarships in Canada, with $20,000 distributed among the top eight finalists.