Being born and raised in Palmer, I have loved seeing the state fair posters come and go as the years go by. It has been my dream to create an Alaska State Fair poster that all Alaskans can see themselves in. Inspired by the dramatic landscapes and art nouveau style, I wanted to include indigenous joy by highlighting Yupik and Alaska Native heritage in the 2023 poster and logo. I had the pleasure to collaborate with indigenous artist Courtney Tatellgaq Rose Griechen. Courtney designed the sun in the logo as a Sugpiaq style Giinaruaq (mask) representing her heritage. The suns rays are displayed as feathers to symbolize the influence and powerful reach the sun has in everything.

In the poster you will find a Yupik woman and child, they are playfully riding a moose wearing dancing nasqerrun headdress (inspired by the craftsmanship of Agnes Shales), qaspeq (kuspuk) and mukluks. With this opportunity to create the 2023 Alaska State Fair poster, I want to pay respects to the original stewards of our beautiful state and including significant imagery from all over Alaska. From farmers, fisherman, adventurers, and Alaskan Natives, I feel like all of us can enjoy and see ourselves in this years artwork.

To me these art pieces encapsulate the feeling of beyond the mountains and what makes us Alaskans.