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The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend Announces Winners of 2021 Shirt Design Competition
PHILADELPHIA, PA (August 23, 2021) - The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend partnered with the City of Philadelphia Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (OACCE) to hold a design competition for local artists to submit shirt designs for three races that will occur during Philadelphia Marathon Weekend, November 19-21, 2021. We are proud to announce the winners of competition and unveil the designs for the following races:
AACR Philadelphia Marathon
Winning Design by Nancy Devard:
"As a Philadelphia-based organization, the American Association for Cancer Research is humbled and inspired by the creativity and support that was shown by local artists in the shirt design submissions,” said Mitch Stoller, chief philanthropic officer and vice president of development for the AACR. "We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase the work of Nancy Devard on this year’s AACR Philadelphia Marathon shirts and look forward to seeing the design worn by the thousands of runners who will be embarking on a 26.2 mile journey through our beautiful city."
Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon
Winning Design by Sylvia Zhao:
"We are big supporters of all things Philadelphia, as a hometown brand, we love it when we can support our city- including all our talented local artists," said Lauren Eni Canseco, EVP Brand Strategy of Dietz & Watson. "We can't wait to see the participants wearing the design during the Dietz & Watson Half Marathon."
Rothman Orthopaedics 8K
Winning Design by Sylvia Zhao:
"We are so excited to once again to sponsor the Rothman 8k during the Philadelphia Marathon weekend. Although, we've expanded our practice outside of the Greater Philadelphia region, our heart and commitment will always lie within this community and the City of Philadelphia," Alexander R. Vaccaro, MD, PhD, MBA, President of Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, Richard H. Rothman Professor and Chairman of the Department of Orthopaedics, and Professor of Neurosurgery at Thomas Jefferson University and Hospitals. "We are thrilled to be included in the design competition—it has been such an amazing display of talent among local artists and we can’t wait to see all the runners and walkers, wearing Sylvia Zhao’s winning design. Congratulations to all involved!"
This is the first time the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend partnered with OACCE to have an open call to create the race shirt designs. 45 individuals submitted designs to be considered. The winning artists for each race will have their design featured on the associated race shirt and will each receive a $3,000 prize. More than 20,000 shirts showcasing the winning designs will be distributed during the Philadelphia Marathon Weekend.
About the Winning Artists:
Nancy Devard is a West Philadelphia native and former engineer whose second act has been as an artist, designer, and children’s book illustrator. After graduating from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts (PAFA), Devard worked as a staff artist for Hallmark Cards where she created top selling illustrations for the Mahogany and Kids card lines. In 2008 she was selected by the American Library Association as a Coretta Scott King Illustration Book Honor Award Winner for the book “The Secret Olivia Told Me”. Recently, Devard contributed illustrations of Marian Anderson to the Temple University Libraries Charles Blockson Collection graphic novel “BLAM! Black Lives Always Mattered: Hidden African American Philadelphia of the Twentieth Century” to be published in 2021. “Surprisingly, this is my second winning shirt design chosen by local marathon coordinators,” shared Devard. “In 1993 I submitted a winning shirt design for the commemorative anniversary of the Philadelphia Distance Run.”
Sylvia Zhao is a junior at the University of Pennsylvania studying cognitive science and computer science. She has been practicing design work for the past two years. “I wanted to participate in the contest because my dad will be participating in the AACR Philadelphia Marathon,” said Zhao. “I wanted to contribute to the event even though I won't be running in it myself.”
About the Philadelphia Marathon:
The Philadelphia Marathon Weekend has grown tremendously since the first race in 1994. What started as a small local event of just 1,500 participants has become one of the top-10 marathons in the country. The beautiful and scenic course takes runners past historic landmarks, through urban neighborhoods, and along Philadelphia’s picturesque waterfronts. Each year, spectators line the course, eager to cheer on runners, because there’s nothing Philadelphians love more than champions.
Race Weekend 2021 features the AACR Philadelphia Marathon on Sunday, November 21; the Dietz & Watson Philadelphia Half Marathon, Rothman Orthopaedics 8K and Dunkin’ Munchkin Run on Saturday, November 20; and a free two-day Health & Fitness Expo on Friday, November 19 and Saturday, November 20. For more information about the Philadelphia Marathon visit philadelphiamarathon.com.
About the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy:
The Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy closes the gap in access to quality cultural experiences and creative expression through the support and promotion of arts, culture and the creative industries; connecting Philadelphians to enriching, arts-infused experiences; linking local artists and cultural organizations to resources and opportunities; and preserving the City’s public art assets. For more information about the Office of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, visit CreativePHL.org and follow @CreativePHL on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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