Langley painter Jon Sarkis has been chosen as the poster artist for the 34th annual Choochokam Arts 2009 festival in July.

“I’m both excited and honored to have been chosen,” Sarkis said. “This festival is a great way for local artists of all kinds to show what we’re capable of.”

Sarkis picked the theme, “Rising of the Stars” for his poster, a take on the Hopi Indian translation for Choochokam, “gathering of the stars.”

In February, Sarkis and others were part of a MUSEO arts show and he sold out; this caught the attention of Langley Chamber of Commerce executive director Sherry Mays.

“Jon provides us with a fresh perspective to the poster design, and this is a way of engaging new, up-and-coming artists,” Mays said. “There were three entries to the contest, and each artist brought a unique vision to how they saw the festival. Every year we look to infuse Choochokam Arts with a fresh perspective. Jon has hit this goal on the head.”

Sarkis said he went out on a limb with his design, which depicts a figure rising to the stars. “A bit different, maybe, but something that relates to what the festival means for those who show their work and those who see it,” he said.

This year’s event takes place July 11 and 12 in downtown Langley.