IceHogs Local Artists Hat Series Winners Announced

The Rockford IceHogs, in collaboration with the Rockford Area Arts Council, has announced the winners of their Local Artists Hat Series for the 2025-26 season, presented by BMO. This marks the third year of this popular promotional initiative that showcases local artistic talent. Over 40 local artists submitted unique hat designs during the summer call for submissions. A selection committee comprised of IceHogs staff, Rockford Area Arts Council representatives, and local artists reviewed all entries. The three winning artists selected are Greg Lang, Lissette Tellado, and Liz Wolf. Each winning design will be produced as actual hats and distributed to the first 2,500 fans at select IceHogs games throughout the season. Greg Lang, one of the winners, is a Rockford artist with a background in graphic design and printmaking who graduated from Minneapolis College of Art and Design in 2001. His winning design explores the aesthetic of a ransom note using mismatched typography, drawing inspiration from street art and graffiti. Lang aimed to create a menacing look by cutting up the IceHogs logo and focusing on the eyes. As a member of the art collective Fatherless, Lang remains active in the local art scene and sees this opportunity as a unique way to spotlight local artists. This collaboration demonstrates how sports organizations can successfully partner with arts councils to provide meaningful exposure and recognition for local creative talent.