Carlos Sosa Wins the 2024 “Rhythm of the Rainbow” Art Contest

Carlos Sosa has won the Long Beach Pride 2024 theme logo art contest. His piece, titled “The Rhythm of the Rainbow 2024,” was chosen after a thorough and spirited selection process, and it will be at the front of our advertising campaigns and merchandise all season.

Longtime Pride fans may know the name. Sosa also won our 2019 art contest with a triangle design for the theme “Millions of Moments of Pride,” which honored the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. Five years later, his work represents Long Beach Pride once again.

A Theme Built on Music

We unveiled “The Rhythm of the Rainbow” on January 12, 2024, as a theme about hope and unity through music. Long Beach Pride President Tonya Martin put it this way:

We pay homage to the beats that have strengthened our hearts and souls. Our music is a powerful tool against the challenges we face, and with it, we will prevail.

Tonya Martin, President, Long Beach Pride

The art contest opened days later to all artists and graphic designers, with a $500 prize and a February 4, 2024, deadline. “Within our community, we have so many talented individuals and as a LGBTQ+ organization it is our honor to offer a safe platform that allows everyone a chance to shine,” Martin said when the contest launched.

About the Artwork and the Artist

Sosa’s design is a visual celebration of diversity and unity, illustrating the pulse of Long Beach’s LGBTQ+ community. It weaves together bright colors and rhythmic patterns that reflect the many beats of Long Beach Pride.

It fits the body of work Sosa is known for, which keeps returning to inclusivity, diversity and community. A graduate of California State University, Northridge, he owns the graphic design business GenesisFXE.com and, when he won in 2019, was serving as executive director of The C.I.T.Y. x1 Youth Group, which supports at-risk and homeless LGBTQ+ youth.

See It in May

The Long Beach Pride Festival takes place May 18 and 19, 2024, with the Long Beach Pride Parade on Sunday, May 19. On the same day we named our art contest winner, we also announced Saucy Santana as the festival’s Saturday headliner.

Congratulations, Carlos. We’re honored to have your work represent “The Rhythm of the Rainbow,” and we thank every artist who sent us a submission. See you in May.

Media inquiries: info@longbeachpride.com