Pick up your free yard sign today!
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Suggested $10 donation to Su Casa.
Featuring an original design by Columbus artist Allison Horner.
​​​We're are excited to announce that yard signs promoting solidarity with immigrant communities are now available. The signs were created through a design competition and are available for free to the community.
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The initiative was developed to send a message of unity, belonging, and support for immigrant families. "We created this campaign to show our richly diverse immigrant community that we care," said Rev. Felipe Martinez, pastor of First Presbyterian Church. "Our hope is that seeing these yard signs around town will encourage our immigrant neighbors, and bring the whole community together."
Signs are now available for pickup and are free with a suggested donation of $10 to Su Casa. The organization’s mission is to increase self-sufficiency, health, economic independence, and education, while ensuring Latino families feel a sense of safety and belonging.
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Allison Horner was selected as the winner of the design competition. Out of 18 submissions, her design stood out for its powerful message of inclusivity, strength, and compassion. “Allison's design is a powerful visual statement that speaks to the heart of this initiative,” said Brooke Hawkins, Executive Director of the Columbus Area Arts Council. “The imagery of hands clasped with the Statue of Liberty symbolizes unity and hope. The design is both eye-catching and deeply meaningful.”
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Signs can be picked up at the following locations:
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Columbus Area Arts Council, 431 6th Street
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First Presbyterian Church, 512 7th Street (door #1)
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St. Bartholomew Catholic Church, 1306 27th Street
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Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 7850 W Goeller Blvd.
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Viewpoint Books, 548 Washington Street
Custom Signs — Impact Beyond Columbus
Want a Customized Yard Sign for Your Organization?
Artist Allison Horner is offering customized versions of her yard sign design to help organizations across the country raise funds and show support for immigrant communities.
If your organization serves immigrant populations, you can request a personalized design that includes:
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Your organization’s name
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A custom QR code that links directly to your donation platform
Cost of the custom print-ready design is $30
Thank you!
This project was made possible through generous contributions from First Presbyterian Foundation Columbus Indiana, African American Foundation Bartholomew County, Heritage Fund Bartholomew County, Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Columbus Indiana, and supportive families. Their involvement has played a vital role in amplifying messages of unity and connection with immigrant communities.
SUBMITTED DESIGNS
The following designs were submitted to the design competition. Artists were encouraged to include a brief statement about their design or what inspired them to participate in this project. ​​
Images are displayed in a smaller, low-resolution format to protect artists' work. If you would like to obtain a high-resolution version, please contact us at info@artsincolumbus.org, and we'll gladly connect you with the artist.
Adrinna Amezcua
What inspired me to create this design was to spread awareness for our immigrant neighbors and to symbolize their communities, showing that they are just as much a part of this country as any other US citizen. I'm half Mexican on my dad's side and was born in California. We shouldn't have to worry if our parents will still be home when we come back from work or school. We should look forward to seeing them every day when we walk through the door. Many people come to this country looking for a better future for them and their families. Let's keep the faith that we can make a change and keep our families together.
Allison Horner
While working on this illustration, I was reflecting on the symbolism of the Statue of Liberty as expressed through Emma Lazarus' famous poem, 'The New Colossus'.
This poem, and the statue that inspired it, honors those who are brave enough to cross oceans and cultural divides to make America their home. Standing with our immigrant neighbors begins when we embrace our differences and recognize that all Americans are descended from people who made bold moves toward freedom and prosperity.
WINNING DESIGN
Ava Horn
I am a freshman at Columbus North High School and was inspired to create this design in my Design Fundamentals class. I am not a person who loves to draw, but when it comes to making signs, I will make one without a second thought. I hope that this design inspires the community to stand with our immigrant neighbors!
Jay
I designed these posters because I want to use my ability to create artwork and my creativity to help out my community and the people I love, by speaking my voice out in a creative and original format. These posters represent how I feel and the colors symbolize that we are all family we are all one and we do not need this dishonest and abrupt behavior from our leaders and the people we look up to. I created these designs because I want to use my artistic abilities and creativity to help my community and the people I love. I aim to express my thoughts creatively and originally.
Jessica Robayo
As the wife of an immigrant, I have witnessed firsthand the profound ways in which immigrants pollinate our communities, as well as the increasing challenges they face. Much like monarch butterflies, their arduous migrations cultivate culture, resilience, and growth, not just for themselves, but for all of us.
In Crack the Whip, I sought to link symbols of migration with local acts of neighborliness. The cast-bronze children, with their unified indistinct skin tones, highlight our shared humanity and collective experience. The playful string of butterflies mirrors the children, a reminder that immigrants are all around us, shaping the world in ways both visible and subtle.
It is imperative that we stand in solidarity with our neighbors—hand in hand—reminding them that they are wanted, supported, and essential. My hope is that this piece serves as a reminder to Columbus: no matter how far someone has traveled, every sojourner here is home.
Kevin Zeigler
I wanted to include a touch of Historical Americana poster design but also a little pop/punk detail. A melting pot of a design!
HONORABLE MENTION
Lucie Rice Illustration & Design
Since the messaging should be the focus of any sign, I chose to keep my design simple but eye-catching by bordering the words with a globally inspired floral illustration. I want the imagery to celebrate diversity and human connection in a direct and beautiful way.
Thanks for creating this campaign for kindness and support in these scary times!
Marilyn J. Brackney
The Red Hibiscus is a flower collage created with marbled paper. I liken the individual petals to the various nationalities that make up Columbus, with each contributing something of beauty and diversity. The way we all seem to get along is a thing of beauty, too, and our diversity makes living here interesting and it contributes to our strength.
Monart_Myart
My inspiration is my community. Being an immigrant myself, this initiative highlighted the fact about what a wonderful community we live in. When the neighbors are so caring, it creates a sense of security and togetherness where people are unified by thought and not by their individual background.
Paul J. Hoffman
I wanted this to convey a sense of worldwide brotherhood. Various people from around the globe uniting, hand in hand, standing up for and with one another. I wanted the typeface to elicit feelings of clarity, strength, and forward thinking. Arial is a clean, sans-serif typeface that stands tall. The use of italics gives it a slight forward lean.
Riley Ethridge
I aimed to capture how people of all backgrounds and ethnicities are united in our community, and how we are more collectively powerful together than apart.
Robin Irwin
We Stand With Our Immigrant Neighbors is about unity, belonging, and support for immigrants in our community. I used the Dancing C’s from Paul Rand to represent Columbus, Indiana. In the middle, I placed a globe to show that we all come from different parts of the world. Around it, people holding hands on the C and the earth symbolize togetherness and connection.
This piece is a reminder that no matter where we come from, we are stronger when we stand together. It’s about celebrating diversity and welcoming everyone with open arms
Hamsanta (Samantha Norton)
“Beauty In Transformation”
“Stand”
I am inspired by the journeys and courage immigrants carry as they navigate borders, both visible and invisible. Standing with our immigrant neighbors is not merely an act of solidarity; it is an affirmation of our shared humanity.
As an artist, my work is deeply rooted in the belief that art has the power to amplify voices, build bridges, and inspire change. My passion is to create art that speaks to the potential beauty found in unexpected places, serving as a metaphor for how we can find value and meaning in the most unlikely things. I invite viewers to reflect on the beauty of diversity and recognize the importance of standing together. I aim to create a space where struggles and triumphs are seen, and that the human experience deserves compassion and support.
The DACA butterfly is a symbol of transformation, hope, and the unbreakable spirit of those who dream of a future without fear. Like a butterfly, immigrants navigate a journey of uncertainty and metamorphosis, yet they continue to thrive, bringing beauty and strength to our communities.
Standing with immigrants means standing for dignity, opportunity, and the fundamental right to belong. I am committed to standing with our neighbors, celebrating their resilience, and honoring the vibrant contributions they bring to our community.
I hope to spark conversations that challenge prejudices and cultivate empathy, ensuring that the butterfly's journey continues to soar. We must not remain silent in the face of injustice.
HONORABLE MENTION
Viktoriia Konovalenko
I created this design to show support for immigrants. The words "We Stand With Our Immigrant Neighbors" mean that we care about and welcome people from different places.
The black background makes the message strong and clear. The Earth image reminds us that we all share one world. The pink hearts with heartbeats represent love, life, and connection between people.
I want people to feel unity, kindness, and hope when they see this. No matter where someone comes from, they should feel safe and accepted in their community.
ABOUT THE DESIGN COMPETITION
Submission Details
Deadline: February 15, 2025
Format
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Print-ready, high-resolution designs
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24x18 inches, horizontal orientation
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.pdf, .png, .jpg, or similar format
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Use this file naming format:
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​ArtistFirstName ArtistLastName_File# (Example: Maya Jones_1)
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Requirements
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Include the phrase "We Stand With
Our Immigrant Neighbors" prominently. -
Ensure readability from at least 15–20 feet away.
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Artists may submit up to 2 designs
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Optional: Include an artist statement about your design or inspiration.
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Eligibility
This opportunity is open to any artist who calls Columbus or the surrounding counties home and wants to contribute to their community through the power of art.
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Evaluation Criteria
Designs will be evaluated by the selection committee based on:
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Creativity and originality
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Alignment with the theme and message
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Visual clarity and legibility for a yard sign format
Honorarium
The artist with the winning design will receive a $300 honorarium.
Rationale
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Artists are our truth-tellers. They challenge us. They reflect our deepest pain and joy. They help us aspire to our better selves. They help us make sense of life’s dilemmas from a fresh perspective.
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In this historic moment when political dialogue has degraded past the civil discussion of ideas, leading to the weaponization of ideologies, the intricacies of American immigration policy and immigration reform have been oversimplified by some politicians in favor of dehumanizing rhetoric which promotes seeing immigrants with suspicion at best, or to view them with fear or even hate at worst.
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We call on artists to help us see our community, and all our neighbors, with honesty and compassion. Artists can help us share the message that We Stand With Our Immigrant Neighbors. Afterall, immigrants are our neighbors, not the enemy. Then, and only then, can meaningful and life-affirming dialogue take place in our communities, including grappling with the consequences of a broken national immigration system, the complexity of families with mixed immigration/citizenship status, the overlooked dependency the American market has on undocumented immigrant labor, as well as the cultural and economic benefits of that immigrants (documented and undocumented) have on the community, the positive lessons we glean from the work ethic of immigrants, and the example of valor and honor with which immigrants serve in the US Armed Forces, and much more.
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Pastor Rev. Dr. Felipe N. Martínez
First Presbyterian Church
CAAC's "Support Local Creatives" initiative empowers creative changemakers in Columbus.
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Local art helps cultivate a sense of cultural identity. By providing essential resources to local creatives, we invest in our community’s cultural, social, and economic well-being.