By David Markham
JCPRD invites regional artists to apply for a new public art opportunity – the Celebration Flags Project – launching during the 2026 FIFA World Cup 26™ festivities in the Kansas City region.
A unique element of this project is that the flags will be constructed of ripstop nylon fabric from a hot-air balloon which was decommissioned by a local hot-air balloon company.
This public art initiative will commission ten Kansas City–area artists or artist teams to design and fabricate a series of nature-inspired flags celebrating the intersection of creativity, community, and the landscapes that connect us. Each selected artist will fabricate four large-scale, double-sided flags, which will be simultaneously displayed at two JCPRD parks. In total, thirty will enliven Theatre in the Park in Shawnee Mission Park while ten flags will create a complementary installation at Meadowbrook Park.
“The Celebration Flags Project will transform both Theatre in the Park and Meadowbrook Park into vibrant destinations for both residents and visitors,” said JCPRD Public Art Specialist Angi Hejduk. “It’s a rare platform for artists to share their creativity on a global stage while celebrating the beauty of our local parks.”
JCPRD Superintendent of Culture Susan Mong added “This project captures the spirit of Johnson County – creative, welcoming, and proud of the parks that bring us together. As the world comes to Kansas City for the FIFA World Cup 26™, these flags will stand as a colorful symbol of who we are as a community.”
The project builds on JCPRD’s mission to activate parks, trails, and facilities with interactive, immersive, and inclusive experiences. Guided by the Public Art Committee, the Celebration Flags Project aims to create reusable art infrastructure that will continue to brighten future festivals and community events long after the tournament has ended.
Eligible to apply are professional and emerging artists residing in the Kansas City metropolitan region – including Cass, Clay, Douglas, Jackson, Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, Platte, and Wyandotte counties. Each selected artist will receive a $1,500 commission.
Artists should submit their application, including a brief statement of interest, four basic design concepts, a résumé, and images of prior work by Jan. 11, via the JCPRD Public Art webpage at JCPRD.com/PublicArt. An optional virtual open house on Dec. 3 will provide an overview of the project, timeline, and application process. Artists can RSVP through the same webpage to receive the access link. Flags must be delivered to JCPRD by May 11, and public reveal of the flags is planned for May 22 at Theatre in the Park and June 5 at Meadowbrook Park.
As part of the project, JCPRD will provide material for the flags. This is where the balloon comes in.
“When Kansas City was named a host city for the global soccer tournament, we began exploring ways to create welcoming, energizing visual experiences across our parks,” Hejduk said. “Not long after, we acquired a decommissioned hot-air balloon made of ripstop nylon, a treasure trove of vibrant, durable fabric. Those two ideas collided in the best way: “What if local artists transformed this balloon into large, joyful flags that celebrate our parks and the global spirit of the sports competition?””
The material is aviation-grade ripstop nylon, and is lightweight, durable and designed to withstand wind, sun, and outdoor conditions, “which makes it ideal for large flags that need to move beautifully while holding up to the elements,” Hejduk said. “Using this fabric also honors the balloon’s history and keeps thousands of square feet of material out of a landfill.”
Artists will have access to a palette of eight colors – three from the balloon and five additional complementary colors. This combination is meant to preserve the unique character of the balloon fabric while giving artists the range needed to bring their creative ideas to life. The balloon includes bold shades of burgundy, pink and purple. Artists will also have five additional complementary colors.
The flags are intended to be visual artworks only. No text, slogans, logos, national flags, depictions of celebrity soccer players, or written messaging of any kind will be considered.
“This project is about capturing the essence of each park: the movement, rhythm, color, and energy of the landscape,” Hejduk said. “The flags are not illustrations; they are artistic interpretations. Abstract work often results in the strongest and most dynamic designs, especially at this scale, and in a wind-filled outdoor setting. The goal is original artwork that celebrates nature, creativity, and community, not messaging or branding.”
The flags will be 3 feet wide by 6 feet tall. This consistent sizing will ensure the flags read as a unified installation and can be safely displayed both inside the bowl at Theatre in the Park and around the Great Lawn at Meadowbrook Park. Configurations and specific details for installation are still in development.
“Artists may take creative liberties with the shape of the flags,” Hejduk explained. “The only requirement is that the top edge must remain a straight 3 feet to fit the banner arm, which is the horizontal stabilizing bar. Beyond that, curves, angles, cutouts, notched edges, and layered elements or streamers are welcome, as long as they remain wind-friendly and structurally sound.”
The balloon to be used for this project has been acquired, but has not yet been deconstructed.
JCPRD officials are exploring a community “balloon harvest event “where the balloon would be opened, viewed from the inside, and prepared for use. If this event moves forward, artists and community members may help get portions of the nylon ready for the Celebration Flags and other creative reuse projects.
“We are also open to partnering with other programs, organizations and artists who may want to repurpose portions of the material,” Hejduk said. “While those projects have not been identified yet, extending the life of this nylon instead of sending it to a landfill supports our sustainability goals and adds meaning to the material’s story.”
More information will be available as planning continues.
Officials hope the flags will have a life well beyond 2026, and they foresee them being used for special events, festivals, and community celebrations across JCPRD parks.
“We saw a rare opportunity and a responsibility to meaningfully engage local artists during an international event that will bring global attention to our region,” Hejduk said. “Instead of creating something temporary that disappears when the tournament ends, we wanted a project that invests in our creative community and continues to matter long after the event. These flags create paid opportunities for artists now, expand JCPRD’s public art collection later, and ensure that the excitement of 2026 leaves a lasting, positive impact on our arts ecosystem.”
Launched in 2019, the JCPRD Public Art Program commissions and cares for a growing collection of artworks that connect residents and visitors to the natural and cultural richness of Johnson County’s parks, trails, and facilities. Guided by the JCPRD Public Art Master Plan adopted in 2021, the program is supported through a combination of dedicated public art funds, grants, and philanthropic gifts. The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County serves as the nonprofit partner for this program. Learn more at JCPRDfoundation.org.
