Did you know that Portland has a flag? Neither did we, until we came across a video tearing apart the city’s flag for breaking a bunch of design principles.
It’s not clear when — or even if — the city officially adopted the current flag, which flies outside City Hall and is on display in the council chambers.
But one thing is certain: Portland needs a better flag.
That’s why we’re launching this contest. We’re looking for the city’s best artists, designers — or even just anyone with a good idea — to come forward and help design a flag that represents the city and actually looks good.
The winner will be chosen by readers among three finalists narrowed down by the judges. BDN Maine will award $300 to the designer whose flag gets the most votes.
Ben Coursey, a contest judge and Portland high school student working to get the city to adopt a new flag, plans to take the three finalists’ flags before the City Council.