Fantasy Fest revelers can meet the talent behind the winning 2026 Fantasy Fest poster art — and even step into his creative world — when Miami-based artist and illustrator Brian Butler appears and creates at this year’s Official Fantasy Fest Poster Signing Party.
The event happens from 3 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in the Lobby Tropicado at the historic La Concha Hotel at 430 Duval St. in Key West.
Presented by the Florida Keys Council of the Arts, the event invites guests to meet Butler, have their official 2026 Fantasy Fest posters signed, enjoy free wine sampling courtesy of Bogle Wines, and shop for 2026 Fantasy Fest T-shirts and other festival swag.
Butler will also be live painting during the event, creating a classic “photo stand-in” around this year’s theme. A selfie station presented by KeyHaw and Inflate Key West will offer another opportunity to strike a pose and capture the moment.
A prolific illustrator with deep roots in the music world, Butler is known for sketchbook-style illustrations documenting major festivals and concerts around the globe. His creative repertoire also includes large-scale murals, interactive art events and work for clients like Sony Music, Vans, SXSW, and the Miami Heat.
Butler’s 2026 Fantasy Fest poster design entry, which won him a $1000 prize, is packed with fanciful references to the festival’s theme, “Musical Icons and Iconic Musicals,” weaving together nods to Prince, Madonna, Wicked, Kinky Boots, Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof, Cats, Kiss, David Bowie, The Beatles, The Grateful Dead and The Rolling Stones.
There are plenty of Key West-specific surprises, too, including Robert the Doll, a cup of Coffee Butler, a lost shaker of salt and even that famously mysterious giant sponge man.
Fantasy Fest, Key West’s annual multi-day costuming extravaganza in paradise, runs October 16-25, 2026. Presented in part by the Monroe County Tourist Development Council and We’ve Got the Keys, for a full calendar of events and a downloadable mobile APP, visit http://www.fantasyfest.com.