This summer (2025), JASSC held a t-shirt design contest seeking entries that highlighted the theme of Connect to Japan - Colorado Springs and Fujiyoshida Sister City Relationship. Five amazing artists lent their talent and submitted some amazing artwork ~ we're so grateful for their participation! Please take a look at their works of art below, and we look forward to seeing even more entries next time! 

~Click here to see the 2025 Contest Flyer~

If you'd like to purchase a t-shirt with the winning design on it, please click here! Orders will be taken until August 5th. 

1st Place: Similar Scenery By Danielle (Danny) Campbell

Design Description:  My inspiration comes from the trees planted on both the 55th and the 60th anniversary of Colorado Springs and Fujiyoshida being sister cities. Mayors from both cities planted trees in Colorado Springs and Fujiyoshida, and I wanted to represent the strong bond that connects both cities to this day, through different yet intertwined roots of an Aspen tree and a Sakura tree,  both trees we hold dear. The shape of the design is a sakura blossom where both Pikes Peak and Mt. Fuji are visible, and is meant to showcase our shared love of Japanese and American cultural exchange. Although we live in different countries and time zones, we often wake up and see similar scenery outside.

Artist Bio:  Danielle Campbell is a Colorado Springs-based freelance illustrator with a love for pop culture. Born and raised in Colorado Springs, she was largely self-taught in both digital and traditional media, and graduated with a Bachelors of Arts from MSU Denver. She now sells her works in conventions and markets across Colorado.

As a creative, she has always been interested in Japanese culture, pop culture, and gaming, such subjects from which she draws her inspiration from, as well as making up a majority of her works. Danny wants to spread her love of pop culture through her art and is striving towards bringing her imagination to life, to grow as an artist doing what she loves.

Check out more of Danny's work here! 

2nd Place: High Five By Janis Takami Couey

Design Description: Theme promotes the sister city relationship of our iconic mountains, Mt. Fuji and Pikes Peak and flowers, Japanese cherry blossoms and Colorado Columbines. The high five represents the youthfulness of the 2025 Homestay participants. The design can be personalized with colored Sharpies or acrylic paints.

Artist Bio: I am a retired school art teacher and craftsman/artist. Since being a Japanese American, I have a great interest in Japanese Culture.

Honorable Mentions

Semi-finalist

Artist:  Brittney McDonald

Design Title: The Split

Design Description:  I mainly I got the idea to swap the suns around so Pikes Peak is in front of the Japanese flag and Mt. Fuji is in front of the Colorado flag. Both are flanked by clouds to make it a little easier.

Artist Bio: I am a graphic designer with over 15 years as a hobby and the last 5 years as a brand designer for multiple companies. Currently looking for freelance gigs in creating posters and social media graphics. More at https://www.behance.net/redstarlight/resume 

Design Screenshot: 

Artist:  Alexis Kissinger

Design Title: Mirrored Sisters

Design Description:  The inspiration for this design is to show that, no matter how different our countries are, we're still human. We have beautiful buildings, landscapes, nature, wildlife. We can come together to enjoy these things that each place has to offer. That we show this togetherness through being sister cities and we can connect with each other. We can love and respect each other's culture, no matter how different it may be. (Art features: Mt. Fuji, Churei-to Pagoda, Torii gate of Kitaguchi Hongū Fuji Sengen Jinja shrine, Sakura, Pikes Peak, Kissing Camels, Shrine of the Sun, and Columbines).

Artist Bio: My name is Alexis Kissinger, I am 28 years old, and am a resident of Colorado Springs. I am originally from Oklahoma and I moved to Colorado to work with wolves, as that has always been my dream. I have been doing art ever since I was a little girl and could learn to draw. I love wildlife and its conservation and I love everything about the Japanese culture.

Design Screenshot:

Artist: Veena Fleming

Design Title: "Home is Where You Make It"

Design Description:  As a Japanese American woman, I find both Japan and Colorado my homes. I lived in Hiroshima, Japan until I was 6 years old and the rest of my time in Colorado, with summer visits back to Japan. I used to be torn between which place was my main home, but I came to realize that home is where I make it regardless of each culture. I have both cultures in Colorado and Japan. I feel like many others can relate to this, and therefore, I wanted to showcase that in this piece with a gesha and her origami crane with Colorado mountains/colors and the rising red sun. To further add to the beauty, I added sakura flowers to represent renewal and hope with change between the two cultures, and transient beauty and mortality as a way to appreciate what we have in our community. I have included a colored version and a grayscale version in my PDF below.

Artist Bio: My name is Veena Fleming and I'm the artist behind AneevRee Art. I'm 26 years old and a quarter Japanese. I am originally from Japan but moved to Colorado when I was six years old. I have been creating art ever since I can remember. Art has always been important to me and is a way for me to embody my emotions and appreciation in life. My art ranges anywhere from sewing, cosplay, jewelry making, digital art, painting, crafts, and more!

For more information, visit my facebooks: https://www.facebook.com/veena.fleming/ ; https://www.facebook.com/AneevRee/

While I do not have a current website, I do have one being worked on after my last one was lost.

Design Screenshot: