Announcing the Winner of the 2013 Nowruz Banner Contest

Design to be prominently featured along major streets in Los Angeles and

the San Fernando Valley in promotion of the5th annual Nowruz (Iranian New Year) celebrations

at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) on March 16 & 17, 2013

LOS ANGELES, CA, January 30, 2013 - Farhang Foundation is pleased to announce that the winner of the 2013 Nowruz Banner Contest has officially been selected and the design is now being unveiled for the first time.

Sheida Koufigar, an Iranian-American graphic designer currently studying at California State University, Long Beach, was named the winner of this year's banner contest, which called upon the public to submit designs that visually represent the spirit of Nowruz, the Iranian New Year.

"When designing the Nowruz banner, my goal was to imply a sense of nostalgia by depicting familiar images in a modern and minimalist style," said Sheida Koufigar. "One of the most memorable aspects of Nowruz is the Haft-Sîn, the traditional centerpiece of the Iranian New Year that depicts the various harmonious elements of life and rebirth. The 'mahi va tong' (goldfish and bowl) is a familiar and beloved fixture of the Haft-Sîn that represents the joyful celebration of life and new beginnings."

In the month of March, Sheida Koufigar's design will be featured on street banners along the prominent Wilshire Corridor, Westwood and surrounding areas, as well as on Ventura Boulevard in the San Fernando Valley, as part of promotions for Farhang Foundation's 5th Annual Nowruz (Iranian New Year) Celebration, taking place on March 16 & 17, 2013 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA).

Now in its third year, the Farhang Nowruz Banner Contest continues to attract hundreds of submissions each year from within and outside of the United States. Past winners include Nasrin Beyraghdar of Irvine, CA and Navid Ghaem Maghami of San Francisco, CA.

Born and raised in Esfahan, Iran, Sheida Koufigar is a multidisciplinary graphic designer, who resides in Southern California, where she is currently pursuing a BFA in Graphic Design and BA in Art History from California State University, Long Beach. Specializing in branding, packaging, and motion graphics, Koufigar believes in colorful and elegant design solutions and gains her inspiration from elements of everyday life and her study of art throughout history.

About Farhang Foundation

Farhang Foundation is a non-religious, non-political and not-for-profit foundation established in 2008 to celebrate and promote Iranian art and culture for the benefit of the community at large. The foundation supports a broad range of academic activities in Southern California by funding university programs, publications and conferences. The foundation also supports diverse cultural programs such as the celebration of Nowruz and Mehregan, theater, dance performances, film screenings and poetry reading in Southern California. And, in cooperation with various cultural and academic institutions, Farhang Foundation funds major programs and exhibitions about Iran and its culture. However, the content, viewpoints or biases expressed by individual artists, academics, institutions or events supported by the foundation belong solely to each individual party and do not necessarily reflect the views of Farhang Foundation.