Texas-Based Flag

Juneteenth Houston, extends an invitation to all artists who call Texas home to submit a design for the official Juneteenth Flag.

background

Today, Juneteenth is a national holiday. However, for more than a century before former President Joseph R. Biden signed it into law, Juneteenth was a largely local observance, gaining national recognition only through the diaspora of Texas transplants who proudly carried the tradition with them beyond the borders of the Lone Star State.

General Order No. 3, the decree proclaiming freedom to the enslaved, wasn't read in Gainesville or Gaithersburg; it was read in Galveston. Though we honor all who recognize Juneteenth as a vehicle to commemorate their local emancipation narratives, of which there are many, Juneteenth's origins and essence are uniquely Texan. And while we also acknowledge the well-intentioned efforts of Boston-based activist Ben Haith to create a symbol for Juneteenth, we firmly believe that much like the observance itself, its definitive symbols should proudly emanate from Texas.

the design

Juneteenth Houston extends an invitation to all artists who call Texas home to submit a design for the official Juneteenth Flag. We envision a design that powerfully symbolizes the profound sacrifice and enduring legacy of the 250,000 formerly enslaved individuals who were freed on June 19, 1865, as well as the millions who never knew freedom but upon whose shoulders Black Texans stand today.

Design Requirements

  • The size of the flag design should be the commonly accepted 3ft x 5ft measurement (length by width)

  • The design should be a flat image that can be printed and/or stitched

  • The design should use solid colors only (no gradients, shadows, or shading)

  • The design may use any colors the artist feels are appropriate

  • The design should not include any words

  • The design must be original, scalable, adaptable, and free from copyright restrictions.

Submission Process

  • Visit www.JuneteenthHouston.org to submit your design.

  • Your initial submission should include the completed design in jpeg format in color and black/white.

  • Your initial submission should include your rationale and inspiration behind your design

Selection Process

  • Designs must be submitted online atwww.JuneteenthHouston.org  by April 3, 2026, at 11:59pm.

  • All qualifying designs will be reviewed by an internal panel of judges. The TOP 6 designs will be presented for public vote on the Juneteenth Houston website and Instagram Account from May 6th - May 15th. A panel of judges consisting of leaders in academia, art, and advocacy across the state will select the TOP 2 designs. The cumulative scores from online votes along with the feedback from judges will determine the winning design. The winner will be announced at the 5th Annual Celebrate Freedom Festival on June 6th at Emancipation Park.

  • The artist of the winning design will receive an honorarium of $2500 and a framed flag featuring their design. The artist will also be invited to attend the unveiling of the flag design and the Annual Celebrate Freedom Festival where the design will fly high. The flag design along with the artist will be featured across Juneteenth Houston’s media platforms and merchandise with the artists receiving recognition.

submissions

closed