04/06/2026
⭐ MEET THE ARTISTS ⭐
Throughout the voting period for the 2026 Peachtree T-shirt Design Contest, we’re highlighting the individual artists who made it to the final five. Today, we’re featuring Jose Hadathy, designer of “Look Closer, Atlanta.”
Jose Hadathy is an Atlanta-based illustrator and graphic designer whose work is deeply rooted in both sport and culture. Born in Quito, Ecuador and raised in Atlanta from a young age, he studied Illustration and Fine Art at the Savannah College of Art and Design in Atlanta before building a career that now spans more than a decade. Currently serving as Creative Design Manager for Atlanta United FC, Hadathy has become a prominent voice in the city’s creative sports scene, with recent highlights including designing the official FIFA World Cup 2026 Atlanta Host City Poster.
The Northside Hospital Peachtree Road Race holds special meaning for Hadathy, both professionally and personally. A longtime admirer of the race’s iconic T-shirt tradition, he saw this year’s contest as a full-circle moment, coinciding with the World Cup’s arrival in Atlanta and his own recovery from a knee injury. As a first-time race participant and finalist designer, his “Look Closer Atlanta” design celebrates the landmarks along Peachtree Road, cleverly spelling out the race’s namesake and honoring one of Atlanta’s most enduring traditions.
“Being a finalist for the shirt design while training for my first race makes this experience more than just a design project,” he said. “It’s the celebration of getting back on my feet alongside the rest of the city.”
You can vote for your favorite design once a day, every day until April 10 in the AJC News app! Download today at https://qr1.be/RXTD
