Soccer Ball Art Exhibit
A community wide art initiative where participants transform blank soccer balls into original art pieces.
Featured balls are judged, awarded, and prominently displayed at Dunwoody businesses and at watch parties.
After the exhibit, a portion of finished balls are donated to local nonprofits and schools.
congrats to the 2026 soccer ball art winners!
Congratulations to the six winners of the Soccer Ball Art Exhibit! We appreciate every artist who shared their creativity with our community. Winners were announced at the final watch party at Ashford Lane during halftime.
Popular Vote:
🏆 1st Place: Switching Patterns – Lillee Sheth Igo
🥈 2nd Place: Tesselation Nation – Kathy Florence
🥉 3rd Place: Soccer Around the World – Adason Sheth Igo
Panel Vote:
🏆 1st Place: Dunwoody Dreamsphere 2026 – Nathan and Adam Dinesman
🥈 2nd Place: City of Champions – Linley McGukin
🥉 3rd Place: Sunset Sailing – Clara Townsend
Thank you to our award sponsors: Big Play Atlanta, Hawkers, Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center, Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter Ravinia, Hampton Inn & Suites Perimeter, Element Hotel at Campus 244, CT Cantina, Stage, Mathnasium Dunwoody, and Rush Union.
Special thanks to Ashford Lane for hosting the watch party and to Mayor Lynn Deutsch for helping announce the winners.
How to Participate
Everyone is welcome: artists, non-artists, teams, families, schools, neighborhoods, & companies.
CREATE ON SITE
Create on site at a pop-up art station
using supplies we provide.
CREATE AT HOME
Purchase a blank ball, decorate at home, submit form,
then drop off in collection bin.
Submit Your Soccer Ball Art
Complete form first, then drop off.
(Workshop participation is not required to enter)
The Soccer Ball Wall Display
and Drop Off Locations
A portable display wall located at these businesses will travel to community gatherings.
Politan Row at Ashford Lane
4550 Olde Perimeter Way, Dunwoody, GA 30346
CT Cantina and Taqueria at Campus 244
244 Perimeter Center Pkwy NE, Dunwoody, GA 30346
this wall has been temporarily moved to
Good Vibes in Dunwoody Village
Big Play
2480 Mt Vernon Hwy NE, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Workshops (past)
High Street Lawn
Wednesday, July 1, 11:30am to 2pm
101 High Street; Atlanta, Georgia 30346
Funwoody
Wednesday, July 1, 7pm-8:30pm
5521 Chamblee Dunwoody Rd, Dunwoody, GA 30338
Big Play - ongoing
Pop up workshop stations include soccer balls available while supplies last, plus materials and support.
Award Announcement
Sunday, July 19, at Ashford Lane Final Watch Party - Game Halftime
Most Artistic Soccer Balls by popular and panel vote receive prizes.
Voting is now closed
Top Winners in Popular and Panel Votes in Order of Rank Select from These Prizes
Soccer Balls are selected from all entries to be on voting ballet. Not all entries may be on the ballot.
No longer accepting submissions!
Prize Selection
Hawkers - The Deets - Cocktail or mocktail happy hour with appetizers for up to 15 people.
Atlanta Marriott Perimeter Center - Gift basket and 2-night weekend stay
Crowne Plaza Atlanta Perimeter Ravinia - 2-night weekend stay with $150 GC for dinner and complimentary parking
Hampton Inn & Suites Perimeter - 2-night weekend stay + North Italia $100 gift card
Element Hotel at Campus 244 - 2-night weekend stay and basket with CT Cantina and Stage restaurant gift cards and logo coffee cups
Big Play - 1. Party for 20 people that includes four bowling lanes, shoe rentals, one round of mini golf, appetizers and a cocktail.
2. Bowling birthday package (90 minutes hosted in the bowling suite, 1 hour of bowling for 2 lanes, $20 player cards, and shoe rental for each guest plus 1000 redemption points for the birthday guest, 2 pizzas, ice cream, soft drinks, paper supplies, a party host, and up to 12 birthday guests!)
Mathnasium Dunwoody - 2 scholarships worth $1000 each!
Rush Union - First prize: $175 club credit, Second prize: $125 club credit, Third prize: $75 club credit, Fourth prize: Rush Union gift bag
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Sunset Sailing
Clara Townsend
-
UNder the Sea
Nikki McNab
-
Dunwoody
Peyton McGukin
-
City of Champions
Linley McGukin
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The Dunwoody DreamSphere 2026
Nathan and Adam Dinesman
-
Soccer Around the World
Adason Sheth Igo
-
switching patterns
Lillee Sheth Igo
-
Surfs Up!
Annabelle Durham
-
GOAT
Julia Eidelman
-
THE TEAMS
William Wodicka
-
The accidental masterpiece
Emery Myers
-
GA tribute
Parker Evans
-
Tesselation Nation
Kathy Florence
Quick rules
• Avoid official tournament branding
• Use original designs
• Use size 5 balls
• After the exhibit, selected balls will be donated or sold
Tips for painting your soccer ball
Clean first: Wash the ball with mild soap and water, let it dry completely. A quick wipe with rubbing alcohol helps paint stick.
Test a small spot: Try your marker or paint on a small area first. If it beads up or scratches off easily, switch materials or use thinner layers.
Use thin layers: Multiple light coats look better and last longer than one thick coat. Thick paint can crack when the ball flexes.
Plan your design: Sketch with a pencil or light marker first, or outline your shapes before filling them in.
Use seams as guides: The panels and seams are great natural borders for patterns, flags, mosaics, or storytelling scenes.
Let it dry between colors: Smudging happens fast on a curved surface. Give each layer time to dry before adding details.
Avoid heavy paint on seams: Paint can build up and flake where the ball bends most.
Keep it slightly under inflated while painting: Inflate fully only after the design is finished and dry to reduce cracking.
Add your name to the back: We will label the ball for display. Keep the front focused on the design.
Seal it: A clear protective coat helps reduce scuffs and makes it more display friendly.
Use light coats and let it cure before handling.Photograph it in good light: Take clear photos of the finished ball for submitting in the applications form & sharing online.
thank you to our Sponsors
Rush Union, Campus 244, Ashford Lane and Big Play
Interested in providing prizes?
Email: info@createdunwoody.org
