The Calgary Stampede has unveiled its official 2027 poster, showcasing a rodeo scene created by a young Alberta artist who spent years working toward the honour.
The winning artwork, Best Seat in the House, was created by 23-year-old artist Keagan George from the town of Barrhead, about 120 kilometres northwest of Edmonton.
The artwork captures bull rider Hayes Weight of Goshen, Utah, aboard the bull Judge and Jury during the 2025 Calgary Stampede Rodeo.
“I was shocked. I truly wasn’t expecting it,” said George of learning her artwork had been selected as the official poster. “This was my favourite piece so far and the one I felt was most like a Stampede poster.”
The moment depicted in the painting was a memorable one in the rodeo. Weight won the final day of Pool A with the ride featured in the artwork, earning a spot on Championship Sunday.
George is a self-taught animal artist who grew up on a homestead near Barrhead. She began drawing animals using photos from feed store calendars before turning to her own photography of calves and other animals around her family’s property to use as reference material.
The 2027 Youth Poster Competition marked her fifth attempt at earning the title of Stampede Poster Artist. During that time, she reached the Top 30 twice and the Top 8 twice before ultimately winning this year’s competition.
“When I first entered the competition, I didn’t really understand what made a strong poster,” George said. “Over the years, I learned from the workshops, the mentors’ feedback and the winning artwork that came before mine, and I built on that with each new piece.”
George becomes the ninth Alberta youth artist to have their work featured on the official Calgary Stampede poster since the Youth Poster Competition was launched in 2018.
The Calgary Stampede is now accepting applications for the 2028 Youth Poster Competition. Alberta artists between the ages of 15 and 24 can apply until Dec. 4, 2026.
2027 Calgary Stampede Poster (Calgary Stampede)
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