Three teen artists will present their logo designs for Encinitas' 40th anniversary when the Commission for the Arts meets Thursday, Sept. 3.

The seven-member commission will vote on four hand-drawn designs submitted by Keira Deery, Lincoln Praul and Sloane Donnelly during a special meeting at 3 p.m. in Council Chambers, 505 S. Vulcan Ave. The winning logo will appear on city print materials, the website, social media and collectible screen-printed canvas bags at the city's free anniversary celebration Saturday, Oct. 3, at Moonlight Beach.

The competition, announced Aug. 5 on the city's Instagram, invited Encinitas residents ages 13–18 to submit up to two original designs by Aug. 24. AI-generated artwork was not permitted. The winner also receives a free art class at Pacific View Arts Center.

Each design had to reflect the city's heritage and nod to the 1980s, the decade Encinitas incorporated. Commissioners will score entries on four criteria: 1980s theme, clear celebration of the 40th anniversary, inclusion of at least one theme among arts, surf, skate, volleyball or outdoor activities, and ease of conversion to a screen print.

The designs draw on familiar Encinitas imagery. Deery's sketch pairs a sunset and palm tree with the number "40." In her written submission, she said, "I love the beach in Encinitas and feel that many people also love the beach so I created a sunset with a palm tree just like the palm tree at moonlight beach, my favorite beach!"

Praul's circular blue logo features white palm trees and the year "1986." Donnelly submitted two entries: one with a stick-figure surfer riding a wave inside the zero of "40," and another with a beach volleyball sun filling the zero.

Commission Chair Katy Fox and commissioners Carla Roemer, Vicki Campbell, James Exley, Robin Fator, Beverly Goodman and Jennifer Marakovits will cast the final vote. The meeting agenda lists the logo selection as the sole action item.

Residents can attend in person. Speaker slips are accepted starting at 2:30 p.m., and each speaker gets three minutes.

The Saturday, Oct. 3, celebration marks 40 years since Encinitas incorporated on Oct. 1, 1986. According to the city's event page, the daylong lineup includes a sandcastle exhibition at Moonlight Beach from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and screen printing of the winning logo at Pacific View Arts Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A live concert by BETAMAXX starts at 4 p.m. at Moonlight Beach, followed by an outdoor screening of "Back to the Future" at 6:30 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to wear '80s attire.

Residents can also screen print the anniversary logo at Pacific View Arts Center the week before the celebration, Sept. 28 through Oct. 2, from 3 to 7 p.m. in Room 2.

Upcoming

  • Thursday, Sept. 3, 3 p.m. — Commission for the Arts special meeting, Council Chambers, 505 S. Vulcan Ave. Teen logo vote.
  • Saturday, Oct. 3, 8 a.m.–8:30 p.m. — Encinitas 40th Anniversary Celebration, Moonlight Beach and Pacific View Arts Center. Free.