Stow City arts volunteers lay out plan to redesign city flag, call for community submissions

The Stow City Arts Commission discussed a community-led effort to redesign the city flag, with organizers saying they plan to begin accepting design submissions in March or April and run the selection process through the summer into early fall.

Andrew Rome, a community organizer who presented the project to the commission, said the group has received about 24–30 survey responses so far and that 72.6% of respondents answered “no” to the question “Do you like the current design of the flag?” He said the organizers hope to open formal design submissions in March or April and accept entries through the summer, with finalists presented to the public later in the process.

Why it matters: the commissioners said they want a transparent city-led process that follows good practice used by other municipalities. The commission and city Parks and Recreation staff will coordinate on communications, branding and whether submissions should flow through the city’s marketing team or the Arts Commission email. The commission noted that any flyer or outside-designed material must be reviewed by the city marketing team to ensure it meets the city’s visual brand guidelines.

Organizers described a multi-step selection plan: accept community submissions, narrow entries to a slate of finalists with Arts Commission participation, then present a public vote. The presenters said the final public ballot would include three new finalist designs plus the existing flag so voters could keep the current design if they prefer. The reveal is currently targeted for the July 4, 2026 parade, which aligns with the city’s 250th anniversary events, though commission members stressed the outcome depends on the number and quality of submissions and on follow-up approvals.

Commissioners and staff clarified administrative steps. The Arts Commission has an email for submissions; if the commission takes on intake duties, entries would go to that address. If the city handles communications through Parks and Recreation, the marketing team would incorporate the project into official channels and apply city branding. Commissioners agreed to forward the presentation materials for review, and to place the item on a future open meeting agenda so the full commission can review materials publicly before taking further steps.

Organizers also said they were modeling parts of the process on other cities’ efforts (they mentioned Kent and Toledo) and that they plan to publish design parameters that explain the difference between a flag and a banner and list best practices for flag design while preserving creative latitude for entrants.

What’s next: presenters will send the slide deck and proposed materials to the Arts Commission email and to Parks and Recreation for marketing review. The commission indicated it would accept submissions (through whichever official channel is chosen), narrow finalists with a subset of members and community partners, and then hold a public vote. The exact dates, submission rules and formal public outreach text will be posted to a future Arts Commission agenda and in the city’s newsletter if Parks and Recreation agrees to include it.