Cato-Meridian High School art teacher Shea McCarthy has been selected as one of the featured artists in the Syracuse Poster Project’s 2026 series.

The Syracuse Poster Project joins local poets and artists to create illustrated poetry posters inspired by Syracuse and surrounding landmarks. The annual series is displayed in public spaces throughout the city and is also available through poster prints.

The 2026 series celebrates the project’s 25th anniversary, and in recognition of this achievement, poets were invited to submit haiku and short-form poetry inspired by the word “quarter.” Artists then applied to illustrate selected poems, with final posters chosen by a professional jury.

McCarthy’s work was selected for second place and will be featured as part of the 2026 poster series. The poster will be displayed in downtown Syracuse between Salt City Market and the post office.

The poster was inspired by a poem about the Palace Theatre, a historic Syracuse venue that has welcomed audiences for films, concerts, comedy and other live performances for generations.

In creating the piece, McCarthy drew from the energy of live performance and the theater’s long-standing presence in the community. Her design combines Art Deco-inspired shapes with bold, expressive forms meant to reflect the way the Palace Theatre continues to come alive when people gather there.

McCarthy said it was an honor to create artwork connected to a place that has been part of the Syracuse community since the 1920s.

Cato-Meridian Central School District is proud to recognize McCarthy for this accomplishment and for representing the district in a public project that celebrates community and local history.