AI Is Depleting Lawton’s Longstanding Tradition Of Supporting Local Artists

Lawton businesses, organizations and individuals have all used AI to create immediate event flyers or promotional materials. Many local artists and art supporters believe the overuse of AI, particularly in Lawton, has depleted the community's longstanding tradition of supporting local artists.

Over the weekend, Lawton hosted its annual Arts for All Festival. Over 60 artists from across Oklahoma, including several Lawton artists, set up booths to share their unique creations with visitors. And even though the festival has been supporting local artists for over 50 years, this year's festival was the first time its organizers had ever been suspected of using AI.

Lawton's annual Arts for All Festival's promotional artwork was thought to be AI.

While Arts for All Inc. promoted its annual festival, many residents believed the nonprofit that celebrates and supports local artists actually used AI for this year's festival design. It wasn't until residents looked closer that they realized the festival's artwork featured an artist signature from Lawton artist Ed Hoosier.

Even though Arts for All Inc. has used local artwork to promote the annual festival since 1974, the new age of AI has people questioning any type of artwork, especially in a digital format. Social feeds in Lawton have been oversaturated with AI promotional materials. It has local artists questioning whether or not the community still supports local art, because when AI is used for promotional materials, it takes opportunity away from local artists.

Lawton artists and supporters vow not to support events that use AI.

The overuse of AI for promotional materials may also soon prove unsuccessful for local businesses and organizations. Many artists and supporters of the arts in Lawton have refused to share or even attend any event that uses AI for promotion.

The reason for this backlash is because using AI for promotional materials goes against one of the core values of Lawton: supporting the arts. And attending local events that are publicized using AI and not local artists shows that you're fine with AI replacing local artists.

READ MORE: Lawton's Arts Organizations Need To Focus On The Next Generation

Lawton's International Festival and Tomato Festival are annual events that also promote local artists.

Arts for All Inc. isn't the only organization that has relied on local artists for its festival promotion. Other local organizations have a history of supporting local artists while promoting an annual event.

Lawton's International Festival Committee hosts a poster contest every year, and the winning artwork is used for promotional material for that year's festival. In 2025, artwork by Clair Trachte, a freshman at Eisenhower High School at the time, was selected for that year's festival.

The Lawton Farmers Market also celebrates local artists every year with its annual Tomato Festival. For the past seven years, the Lawton Farmers Market has partnered with the Leslie Powell Foundation Gallery for an art competition. The artworks are then displayed at the gallery as part of an exhibition.

Lawton residents should continue its tradition of supporting local artists and refuse to use AI.

So in a digital world where AI is being forced on everyone in every aspect of their lives, Lawton residents should make the conscious choice to not use AI, and continue the city's legacy in supporting local artists.

Cameron University, Lawton Public Schools and the Great Plains Technology Center have plenty of students who are studying to be graphic designers. Contracting a local student for promotional materials is a great way to support an emerging local artist by helping them build their portfolio.

There are also several professional graphic designers in Lawton, some of them either have their own business or do it as a side hustle. Lawton is also home to many local artists that can create something unique that communicates directly to Lawton residents.

Art can connect people, and what you lose with AI is interpersonal connection, and when we lose that connection, what's the point in promoting your event?

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EDITOR'S NOTE: The article's featured image is of the 2023 Arts for All Festival t-shirt design, which features a mosaic titled "Bluebird of Happiness" by Jenny Perry, mosaic artist from Frederick, Oklahoma. The author chose to use the photo because the 2023 Arts for All Festival t-shirt design was the last physical-media design the festival committee used for its t-shirts.