The Calgary Stampede unveiled their 2026 poster by Dayna Loepp. Photo by Stephen Strand
The Calgary Stampede revealed their 2026 Stampede Poster today (October 6).
This poster showcases the talent of 22-year-old artist, Dayna Loepp, and is a 20-by-30 inch acrylic piece on canvas titled When the Grass Dances.
The piece captures the Champion Junior Men’s Grass Dancer Tyrone Sitting Eagle of Siksika Nation when he was competing at the 2024 Calgary Stampede Powwow, and honours the vibrancy of powwow traditions, as well as the intergenerational connections that connect families and communities to the Stampede.
Loepp explains why she chose to do this piece for the poster.
According to Stuart O’Connor in a media release, the President and Chair of the Board at the Calgary Stampede, this poster pays tribute to the artistry of First Nations at the Stampede.
“Elbow River Camp has been an integral part of the Calgary Stampede since 1912, when families from the local First Nations first journeyed to Calgary and set up camp to participate in the inaugural Stampede. The 2026 Poster’s tribute to First Nations artistry at the Stampede Powwow is a powerful reflection of this enduring relationship and a reminder that language, culture and tradition remain at the core of the Stampede,” O’Connor stated.
Loepp says that when she first heard her piece was chosen to be next year’s poster, she laughed it off, because she didn’t believe them at first.
Traditionally, Loepp specializes in realism, depicting landscapes, and works with acrylics.
The piece When the Grass Dances is also done in acrylics, but Loepp says it is in the style traditionally used with oil paintings.
Loepp says it means the world to her that her artwork was chosen for the poster.
In the piece, Tyrone Sitting Eagle is wearing his regalia, which he explains.
Sitting Eagle adds that it feels meaningful to have his family’s design showcased on the Stampede Poster for all to see, as his family has a long connection to the Stampede.
His grandparents were Tipi holders for nearly 40 years before they passed the tipi to his parents, and Tyron’s knowledge of hoop and grass dancing reflects a family tradition that has been passed down through generations.
The grass dance was traditionally performed as a warrior act to bless and flatten the ground before setting up camp, and is characterized by flowing movements, which mirror the gentle sway of grass in the wind.
As the 2026 winner, Loepp receives $10,000 from the Dustin Peers Memorial Scholarship.
The Calgary Stampede is now accepting applications for the 2027 Youth Poster Competition, which runs until December 5.
To learn more, click here.
Comments