[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: City announces Columbia flag design contest winner

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Sarah Dresser
Program Specialist
Office of Cultural Affairs
573-874-6387

City announces Columbia flag design contest winner

COLUMBIA, MO (May 3, 2016) - On Monday evening, the Columbia City Council unanimously approved a resolution to accept the design by Jon Sheltmire as the new, official flag for the City of Columbia. Sheltmire’s design represents Columbia being at a crossroads in the center of the state of Missouri, and it incorporates the existing City logo to represent Columbia’s diverse, close-knit community. The featured colors in the design, blue and green, symbolize Columbia’s many distinctive rivers, creeks, and lakes as well as the city’s woodlands, trails, parks and heritage of nature conservation.

"It's a tremendous honor to have this become part of Columbia's heritage,” Sheltmire said. “But more than anything, this is a testament to Ray Beck and Alberta Smith's original work, which is really what won and is the best part of this flag."“An official flag for one’s community creates a sense of unity and pride,” Director of the Office of Cultural Affairs JJ Musgrove said. “This new flag design honors our previous unofficial City flag by incorporating the city logo within simple elements that embrace our geographic location as well as the many elements of nature that make Columbia great. Columbia now joins the numerous Missouri cities, such as St. Louis, Kansas City and Jefferson City, with an official symbol for its community.”

The Office of Cultural Affairs administered the contest, which offered citizens an opportunity to create a lasting symbol for the city that captures the history, beauty and uniqueness of our community. The contest was open to everyone, from amateurs to professional graphic designers.

The City received 84 entries by the application deadline in November 2014. After a public voting period on all submitted designs, the Commission on Cultural Affairs and City staff reviewed entries and chose a group of finalists. In September 2015, City Council reviewed finalists, selecting its top three. After a public comment period through January 2016, City Council evaluated the feedback, which overwhelmingly favored Sheltmire’s design as the top choice.

A flag ceremony is planned for a future date, to be determined. An image of the selected flag is attached. For more information, contact the Office of Cultural Affairs at 573-874-6387 or email OCA at CoMo.gov.



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http://www.como.gov/CMS/pressreleases/downloadfile.php?id=1199



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