The Calgary Stampede has unveiled its 2027 poster, and this year’s artwork puts viewers close to the action inside the rodeo arena.
Credit: Calgary Stampede
Titled Best Seat in the House, the poster was created by 23-year-old Alberta artist Keagan George. Her painting captures bull rider Hayes Weight of Goshen, Utah, riding Judge and Jury during the 2025 Calgary Stampede Rodeo.
George used a realistic style to focus on the movement and intensity of the moment, with the bull taking up a large portion of the image.
“I wanted the bull’s head to command a large part of the Poster and create that feeling of being close to the action,” George said. “The movement of the bull, rider and chaps builds anticipation. I hope people see it as thrilling, dramatic and full of action.”
George is a self-taught animal artist who grew up on a homestead near Barrhead, Alberta. Her selection as the 2027 Stampede Poster Artist follows several years of entering the Calgary Stampede’s Youth Poster Competition.
She has entered the competition five times, reaching the Top 30 twice and the Top 8 twice before being chosen to create the 2027 poster.
George is also the 2027 recipient of the $10,000 Dustin Peers Memorial Scholarship, funded by the Brandon Flock Foundation. Another $10,000 is awarded to competition finalists, making the Youth Poster Competition one of Canada’s largest art scholarship programs.
The Calgary Stampede is already accepting applications for the 2028 Stampede Youth Poster Competition. Alberta artists between the ages of 15 and 24 can apply, with submissions due by December 4, 2026.
The 2027 Calgary Stampede will take place from July 9 to 18, 2027.