Titled Best Seat in the House, this year’s Calgary Stampede poster entices people to see the sport for themselves at the upcoming Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.

Created by 23-year-old Keagan George of Barhead, Alta., the poster was unveiled on the morning of Oct. 5 and drew inspiration from the 2015 version, which pictured chuckwagons in motion. George said action was exactly what she wanted to convey. 

“When I saw that, that’s what I wanted people to feel when they saw my poster,” she said. 

“So, I tried to capture some of that excitement, some of that movement, especially with the dust.”

The realism painting is based on a photograph of bull rider Hayes Weight from Goshen, Utah, aboard Judge and Jury at the 2025 Calgary Stampede. George said that what drew her to recreate the photo is how it framed the figure from the chest down, focusing on his grip. 

“What I really wanted to capture with this piece is this dynamic, thrilling, action-driven event, and that’s what I think of when being in the stands,” she said. 

“I really like this image with the bull, and his head taking up so much of the painting, and the angle as well — the angle really drove me to make this picture.”

Weight went on to win the final day of his pool with the ride shown in the photograph and now poster, earning a place on Sunday’s championship. Cherie Coputhorne-Barnes, first vice chair of the Stampede’s board, said the posters are an enthusiastic reminder of what’s to come. 

“Each year, the unveiling of the official Stampede Poster gives us our first exciting glimpse of the Stampede ahead,” she said. 

“Keagan George’s artwork captures the energy, courage, and extraordinary athleticism that make the Calgary Stampede Rodeo unlike anything else.”

Fifth time’s the charm for poster contest winner

George said that she had never really painted before this, mentioning that she has always had a “strong foundation in drawing.” This wasn’t the first time that she submitted a piece to be considered for the poster, however. 

“Every year, I found I got better, I got faster,” said George.

“It helped me build other ideas about what makes a good poster instead of what makes a good painting.”

Over her five years in the competition, George advanced to the top 30 and top eight twice before being selected as the 2027 winner, according to a Calgary Stampede news release. 

She said her dad came up with the title, Best Seat in the House. George said she had a hard time finding a fitting name for her past few posters, but this one best captured what the artwork was trying to communicate. 

“It’s perfect, because that is the best [seat] in the house,” she said. 

“All of the action, and then the grandstand in the back captures just how big the event really is.”

Juggling a full-time job while trying to secure her spot as the winner, George said it took her about 15 months to complete it. She said the process involved multiple versions of the piece, and she’s proud of the final copy. 

“I just kind of switch it up as I go — I’ve changed it quite a bit since I started painting,” said George. 

“It’s such an honour. I still can’t believe it.”

Her winning work has made her the ninth Alberta youth to have their artwork featured on the official poster since the competition began in 2018.

The unveiling also marks the Stampede’s acceptance of applications for the 2028 poster competition, which close Dec. 4. Eligible artists must live in the province and be between the ages of 15 and 24.