Flynn Ledoux, a junior illustration major in the College of Visual and Performing Arts’ (VPA) School of Art, has been selected as the winner of a VPA student design competition to create the official 40th anniversary poster for the 2026 Syracuse International Jazz Fest.
Ledoux, who also majors in environment, sustainability, and policy in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, will see his design featured on official 2026 festival materials and will receive a $1,000 cash prize.
In operation since 1982, Syracuse Jazz Fest has become one of the Northeast’s premier free admission music festivals, drawing world-renowned artists and tens of thousands of fans each summer to Central New York. Jazz Fest 40 will take place July 9–12, with performances and special events hosted across Syracuse University’s campus and at Beak & Skiff Apple Hill Campus in LaFayette, New York.
The competition was created after Jazz Fest founder and Syracuse University alumnus Frank Malfitano ’72 reached out to VPA Dean Michael Tick about holding a student poster design contest in honor of the festival’s milestone anniversary. The college issued a call for entries and received submissions from students across its schools and departments. Representatives of Jazz Fest then reviewed the entries and voted on the winners.
In addition to Ledoux, three other VPA students were recognized by the festival:
- Katerina Anastasopoulos, a senior environmental and interior design major in the School of Design, received second place.
- Kelsey McMillin, a sophomore illustration major in the School of Art, and Hayden Celentano, a senior film major in the Department of Film and Media Arts, tied for third place.
“Jazz Fest has always been about bringing people together through great music, and this year we’re celebrating 40 years of doing just that,” says Malfitano. “Partnering with VPA to put a student’s work at the center of this anniversary felt exactly right — it connects our festival’s future to the next generation of artists.”
“The 40th anniversary of Jazz Fest is a milestone worth celebrating in a meaningful way,” says Tick. “Flynn’s design is a testament to the exceptional talent we have here at VPA, and we’re grateful to Frank for giving our students the chance to be part of this iconic community festival.”
Jazz Fest 40 is presented by Syracuse University with additional support from the NYS-Empire State Development Corporation in association with NYS Assemblyman Al Stripe, Onondaga County Executive Ryan McMahon and the Onondaga County Legislature, Visit Syracuse, National Grid, Amazon, JMA Wireless, RAV Properties, CNY Family Care, Empower Federal Credit Union, CNY Arts Council, the Central New York Community Foundation and numerous community partners across Central New York.