Meet our 2026 poster artist
Birdcap
Memphis muralist and Memphis College of Art graduate Michael Roy, known professionally as Birdcap, was selected to create this year’s commemorative festival poster.
Birdcap is a myth-making muralist and comic artist whose work drifts between folklore and philosophy. With roots in street culture and a mind full of ghosts, he creates poetic narratives about impermanence, rebellion, and the strange joy of continuing on.
Known for fantastical characters inspired by global mythology, folklore and a 1990s- and 2000s-era cartoon aesthetic, Roy’s murals can be found throughout Memphis and internationally.
OWN A COPY OF THE POSTER
High-quality prints of festival posters may be purchased during festival weekend at the merchandise table, or at the Art Center Supply Store & Frame Shop at 636 Union Ave.
$45 (signed, limited quantities) | $35 (unsigned)
Continuing a Tradition
What began with Arts in the Park in 1980, RiverArtsFest continues the tradition of inviting prominent local artists to interpret the festival and its river city setting through their own distinctive artistic style and vision.
Each year, the original artwork is available for purchase, with a portion of the proceeds going to the festival.
Past Poster Artists
Hillary Butler, 2025
Carl E. Moore, 2024
Johana Moscoso, 2023
Kong Wee Pang, 2022
Matthew Hasty, 2020 & 2021
Pinkney Herbert, 2019
Maysey Craddock, 2018
Beth Edwards, 2017
Ted Faiers, 2016
Jeanne Seagle, 2015
Chuck Johnson, 2014
Annabelle Meacham, 2013
Jeni Stallings, 2012
Dolph Smith, 2011
Jimpsie Ayres, 2010
John Robinette, 2009
George Hunt, 2008
2026 emerging artists
Need this copy. Juried program to launch the careers of local artists and to provide mentorship plus free booth space and all-expenses-paid participation in the Artist Markets.
Kiki Angkratok | booth EA1
I create neo-spiritual African diasporic portraiture. Through this practice I explore the convergence of black and brown presence with belonging, community, and ancestral legacy. By combining pattern, fibers and paint, I aim to capture soft moments, leaving the viewer with a sense of the subjects soul in infinite expression. In this vulnerability, may you consider how we carry our community and selves in our past, present and future.
Bobby Anderson | booth EA2
Every object I use has already proven its worth. I work with machine parts, vintage lighting, reclaimed steel, and forgotten objects—things built to solve real problems and built to last—and bring them together to create something new. Every piece I make follows three simple ideas: form, function, and fun—forever.
I don’t just assemble reclaimed materials; I create characters people choose to live with. When someone forgets they’re looking at reclaimed steel and starts interacting with a piece instead—giving it a name, posing its arm for a high five—that’s the moment I’m building toward.
Craftsmanship builds the work. Imagination brings it to life.
Chavela Racine | booth EA3
I know what it’s like to be one among many, longing for belonging while searching for individuality. As the youngest girl in a family of eleven, I’ve spent my life searching for a truth that lies partly in the past—memories I can never fully access, yet that still shape my family, my community, and me. My work explores memory, both known and unknown, using old family photographs as a starting point for layered, vibrant paintings that combine different moments in time.
My process mirrors memory itself: layers of paint and resin, loose brushstrokes, drips, and vague faces, creating a sense of fogginess and fragmentation. Most of my subjects are children, embodying a playfulness and vulnerability I believe still live in all of us.
I believe truth is uncovered through seeking, and that we cannot know joy without sorrow, love without grief, or hope without despair. My work explores these tensions—the intersection of pain and promise—and the vulnerability that comes with not knowing. In that vulnerability, I believe we find connection to ourselves, to one another, and to life itself.
Need a brief copy block about the judging and awards/ categories. What winners receive.
artist award winners
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BEST OF SHOW: Michael Earley; Angier, NC
BEST OF 2D MIXED MEDIA: Naomi Hart; St. Cloud, MN
BEST OF 3D MIXED MEDIA: John Powell; Memphis, TN
BEST OF CERAMICS: Elliott Hubbard; Fairburn, GA
BEST OF DIGITAL ART: LJ Eidolon; Johns Island, SC
BEST OF DRAWING: Michael Rohner; Santa Fe, NM
BEST OF FIBER AND LEATHER: Gina Pannorfi; Chicago, IL
BEST OF GLASS: Matt Kolbrener; Detroit, MI
BEST OF GRAPHICS & PRINTMAKING: Abigail West; Athens, GA
BEST OF JEWELRY: Don David; Palm Coast, FL
BEST OF METALWORKS: Jonathon Rose; Tullahoma, TN
BEST OF PAINTING: Morgan Daniel; Charlotte, NC
BEST OF PHOTOGRAPHY: James Cole; Plainfield, IL
BEST OF SCULPTURE: Boris Kramer; Harrisburg, PA
BEST OF WOOD: Matthew Hatala; Danielsville, GA
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BEST OF SHOW: Sandra Matasick; Gainesville, FL
BEST OF 2D MIXED MEDIA: Elissa Brown; Grandview , MO
BEST OF 3D MIXED MEDIA: Kina Crow; Allison Park, PA
BEST OF CERAMICS: Jennifer Falter; Springfield, MO
BEST OF DIGITAL ART: Eric Echols; Memphis, TN
BEST OF DRAWING: Haylee M. Shoop; Whittier, CA
BEST OF FIBER AND LEATHER: Elizabeth Holliday; Memphis, TN
BEST OF GLASS: Tony Cray; New Melle, MO
BEST OF GRAPHICS & PRINTMAKING: Nicola Barsaleau; LaCrosse, FL
BEST OF JEWELRY: Carlos Montanaro; Indio, CA
BEST OF METALWORKS: Luke Proctor; Mt. Horeb, WO
BEST OF PAINTING: Pavlina Alea; Johns Creek, GA
BEST OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Angela Kullmann; Harvard, IL
BEST OF SCULPTURE: Mick Whitcomb; Springfield , MO
BEST OF WOOD: Steven Potts; Chattahoochee Hills, GA
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BEST OF SHOW: Matthew Hatala; Danielsville, GA
BEST OF 2D MIXED MEDIA: Nestor Yulfo; Chicago, IL
BEST OF 3D MIXED MEDIA: Mark & Carol Reynolds; Austin, TX
BEST OF CERAMICS: John Herbon; Saint Ignace, MI
BEST OF DIGITAL ART: Kenneth Kudulis; Chattanooga, TN
BEST OF DRAWING: Erin Curry; Dallas, TX
BEST OF FIBER AND LEATHER: Elizabeth Holliday; Memphis, TN
BEST OF GLASS: Tony Cray; New Melle, MO
BEST OF GRAPHICS & PRINTMAKING: Nicola Barsaleau; LaCrosse, FL
BEST OF JEWELRY: Sandra Matasick; Gainesville, FL
BEST OF METALWORKS: Luke Proctor; Mt. Horeb, WO
BEST OF PAINTING: Curtis Whitwam; Tampa, FL
BEST OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Radim Schreiber; Fairfield, IA
BEST OF SCULPTURE: Lori Betz; Porter, TX
BEST OF WOOD: Steven Potts; Chattahoochee Hills, GA
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BEST OF SHOW: Matthew Hatala; Danielsville, GA
BEST OF CERAMICS: Nick Everett; Eagle, CO
BEST OF DIGITAL ART: Eric Echols; Memphis, TN
BEST OF DRAWING: Susan Deaton; Corbin, KY
BEST OF FIBER & LEATHER: Steve Edgar; Tallahassee, FL
BEST OF GLASS: Tony Cray, New Melle, MO
BEST OF GRAPHICS & PRINTMAKING: Nicola Barsaleau; LaCrosse, FL
BEST OF JEWELRY: Sheko & Sarkis Nyearib; Santa Fe, NM
BEST OF METALWORKS: Luke Proctor; Mt. Horeb, WI
BEST OF 2D MIXED MEDIA: Yvonne Miller; Bethlehem, GA
BEST OF 3D MIXED MEDIA: Lou Michaels; Fort Myers, FL
BEST OF PAINTING: Andy Fletcher; Stoddard, WI
BEST OF PHOTOGRAPHY: James Cole; Plainfield, IL
BEST OF SCULPTURE: Scott Causey; Sarasota, FL
BEST OF WOOD: Steven Potts; Chattahoochee Hills, GA
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BEST OF SHOW: Luke Proctor; Mt. Horeb, WI
BEST OF CERAMICS: Nick Everett; Eagle, CO
BEST OF DRAWING: Gary Bachers; New Boston, TX
BEST OF FIBER & LEATHER: Petty Shepard; Kingsport, TN
BEST OF GLASS: Richard Ryan; Bourbonnais, IL
BEST OF GRAPHICS & PRINTMAKING: Mel Fleck; Louisville, KY
BEST OF JEWELRY: Sheko & Sarkis Nyearib; Santa Fe, NM
BEST OF METALWORKS: Benjamin Caldwell; Kingston Springs, TN
BEST OF 2D MIXED MEDIA: Margaret Luttrell; Birmingham, AL
BEST OF 3D MIXED MEDIA: Kelvin Baldwin; Camden, AL
BEST OF PAINTING: Jodi Perry; Polvadera, NM
BEST OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Greg Turco; Jefferson, GA
BEST OF SCULPTURE: Peter Rujuwa; Greenwood, IN
BEST OF WOOD: Steven Potts; Chattahoochee Hills, GA
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BEST OF SHOW: Sheko & Sarkis Nyearib; Santa Fe, NM
BEST OF CERAMICS: Lynn Fisher; Bellaire, MI
BEST OF DIGITAL ART: Kate Harrold; Nashville, TN
BEST OF DRAWING: Richard Wilson; Greenville, NC
BEST OF FIBER & LEATHER: Amos Amit; Los Angeles, CA
BEST OF GLASS: Tony Cray; New Melle, MO
BEST OF GRAPHICS & PRINTMAKING: Mel Fleck; Louisville, KY
BEST OF JEWELRY: Michael Vagner; Eugene, OR
BEST OF METALWORKS: Jeffrey Zachmann; Fergus Falls, MN
BEST OF 2D MIXED MEDIA: Leif Johansen; Asheville, NC
BEST OF 3D MIXED MEDIA: David Gilbertson; Silver Lake, WI
BEST OF PAINTING: Kimberly Mathews; Memphis, TN
BEST OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Walter Arnold; Hendersonville, NC
BEST OF SCULPTURE: Steven Olszewski; Pinckney, MI
BEST OF WEARABLE FIBER & LEATHER: Sylvester Robinson; Chicago, IL
BEST OF WOOD: Matthew Hatala; Danielsville, GA
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BEST OF SHOW: Jessica Ladd; Cookeville, TN
BEST OF CERAMICS: Rebecca Lowery; Bloomington, IN
BEST OF DIGITAL ART: Jesse Kunerth; Palm Bay, FL
BEST OF DRAWING: Susan Deaton; Corbin, KY
BEST OF FIBER & LEATHER: Sharon Tesser; Louisville, KY
BEST OF GLASS: Richard Ryan; Bourbonnais, IL
BEST OF GRAPHICS & PRINTMAKING: Kreg Yingst; Pensacola, FL
BEST OF JEWELRY: Michael Vanger; Eugene, OR
BEST OF METALWORKS: Luke Proctor; Mt. Horeb, WI
BEST OF 2D MIXED MEDIA: Debo Groover; Tallahassee, FL
BEST OF 3D MIXED MEDIA: John Krieger; Manistee, MI
BEST OF PAINTING: Marc Anderson; Elmwood, WI
BEST OF PHOTOGRAPHY: James Cole; Plainfield, IL
BEST OF SCULPTURE: Lester Jones; Bartlett, TN
BEST OF WEARABLE FIBER & LEATHER: Sylvester Robinson; Chicago, IL
BEST OF WOOD: Adam Crowell; Bonneau, SC
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BEST OF SHOW: Steven Potts; Chattahoochee Hills, GA
BEST OF CERAMICS: Craig McMillin; Folsom, LA
BEST OF DIGITAL ART: Chuck Wimmer; Brecksville, OH
BEST OF DRAWING: Richard Wilson; Greenville, NC
BEST OF FIBER & LEATHER: Sharon Tesser; Louisville, KY
BEST OF GLASS: Douglas & Renee Sigwarth; River Falls, WI
BEST OF GRAPHICS & PRINTMAKING: Kreg Yingst; Pensacola, FL
BEST OF JEWELRY: Sandra Matasik; Gainesville, FL
BEST OF METALWORKS: Jeffrey Zachmann; Fergus Falls, MN
BEST OF 2D MIXED MEDIA: Michael Madzo; Medora, ND
BEST OF 3D MIXED MEDIA: Nicario Jimenez; Naples, FL
BEST OF PAINTING: Phill Singer; New Britain, PA
BEST OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Michael Paul Cole; Hannibal, MO
BEST OF SCULPTURE: Dale Rogers; Haverhill, MA
BEST OF WEARABLE FIBER & LEATHER: Elizabeth Holliday; Memphis, TN
BEST OF WOOD: Matthew Hatala; Danielsville, GA
