Solstice Poster Art Contest

ANNOUNCEMENT OF POSTER ART CONTEST WINNER AT "Trunk Show & Art Auction" at CEC

Solstice Santa Barbara announced the winning entry for this year's 2026 Poster Contest is Larry Vigon.

The announcement was made at the BIGGEST Little Elephant Parade® Trunk Show & Art Auction Thursday, March 26.

Vigon is an internationally acclaimed art director and designer whose work has been seen by hundreds of millions of people around the world.  Highlights include induction into the Album Cover Hall of Fame in 2020 for such recording artists as Fleetwood Mac, Eric Clapton, Counting Crows, Bonnie Raitt, Carol King, Tom Petty and many more. 

Larry said, "When I heard the 2026 theme was "Wave" I began making sketches; I wanted something new and different that incorporates the whimsical, playful nature of Solstice."

The image will be used in marketing materials, the official Solstice Santa Barbara Poster.  The t-shirt will be a different design.

The Poster Art Contest winner was chosen from dozens of entries by local artists, taking input from the community via in person and online voting, Board of Directors, Advisory Board and staff members.  The final decision has always been made by a Solstice committee, after a thoughtful review. Public voting is an important part of the process, but it has never been the sole determining factor. 

The BIGGEST Little Elephant Parade ® Trunk Show, featuring 60 artist-painted miniature elephant sculptures were on display and for sale in a silent auction.   DJ Darla Bea and Guitarist Magic Jordan provided ambient atmosphere to the lively conversations, with food from the Blue Owl and dessert from Pascucci.   Almost half of the elephants on display featured the QuickTales  App, which enables a viewer to scan the artwork without a QR Code, with an audio story from the artist.

The exhibition was  first unveiled during the lively Solstice Equinox Weekend March 21-22 at Son Y Sabor.  Hundreds of guests enjoyed a festive, multi-level celebration featuring live music, dance, and the colorful herd of one-of-a-kind elephants created by local artists and sponsored by community supporters.