Balloon Fiesta responds to AI-generated art speculation

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – There are mixed reviews online about this year’s Official Balloon Fiesta Serigraph Poster. In July, Fiesta enthusiasts got a sneak peek at what this year’s poster would look like.

However, speculation grew on social media that the art had AI-generated images in the poster after it was unveiled. Tom Garrity, director of media relations for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta said in an email to KRQE that “Artificial Intelligence (AI) was not something that was contemplated as a criterion. The Balloon Fiesta Art Committee will be considering how to provide any guidance on the use of AI as it develops the 2025 call for artists later this year.”

The official rules for poster submissions are as follows:

• Work must be an original that has been designed, created, and produced by the applicant and not already in publication.
• [AIBF] encourages each artist to develop their own vision or concept using the media [they] are comfortable with. The more colorful the piece, the more accepted by our patrons.
• Your artwork MUST include a hidden roadrunner somewhere in the image.
• [AIBF] will accept horizontal or vertical submissions. Previous posters have been printed at 24″x36″ and 20″x30″.
• Preference will be given to New Mexico artists.

The winning artist, Jake Gushard, is an Albuquerque native who graduated from La Cueva High School and recently received a degree in Cybersecurity from Purdue University.

KRQE requested an interview with Gushard through Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta officials, the organization would only allow KRQE to submit questions via email. Gushard provided the following statement:

Since elementary school, I have always had an interest in creating art and using many types of mediums. My creative process involves having an idea, researching the best tools to use, drafting, creating, refining, and finalizing the piece. Although art is just a hobby for me, I have participated in many school and local art contests in recent years. I also have designed and sold original artworks, t-shirt/logo designs, and I am involved in music/video creation.

Regarding my balloon poster, my process started with the idea to create a new look based on the balloon night glow event. My idea was inspired by how beautiful the balloons look while lighting up the sky in front of the sunset and mountains, and the idea did not come from any source photograph.

Regarding AI, I used multiple Adobe-based software programs, including Firefly and Photoshop, that have integrated AI features which I used to help draft my artwork. During the creation process, I altered and modified AI generated materials that I created by using digital editing tools to help refine my artwork in an original way.

I really enjoyed putting the time into preparing, designing, fine-tuning, and applying finishing touches. I hope people will appreciate this year’s poster and enjoy my theme of a night glow hot air balloon launch.

Jake Gushard

The rules state that AIBF purchases the original winning artwork for a negotiable sum of $2,500 and owns all rights to the future use of the work. Also, Gushard was paid $500 for signing a portion of the posters.

An unsigned serigraph poster of the piece goes for $100 , while the signed version goes for $150 on the official Balloon Fiesta online store.

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