We’re thrilled to announce that International Beatles Artist Shannon has once again been commissioned to create the official artwork for the 2026 International Beatleweek Festival—and this year, she’s turned to one of the most iconic creative periods in Beatles history for inspiration.
For 2026, Shannon looks back to 1966, capturing the energy, colour and off-beat creativity of the Paperback Writer and Rain. Her brand-new artwork puts a contemporary spin on the 60th anniversary of that groundbreaking year, weaving together bold visual motifs and the psychedelic edge that defined The Beatles’ mid-60s evolution. The result is a vibrant, modern tribute that sets the tone for an unforgettable festival ahead.
Shannon says
“Every year I challenge myself to outdo the Beatleweek Artwork I’ve created the year before. So, with sword in hand (which is usually a splash of paint, an airbrush, paint brushes, and one Sienna Brown colour-pencil) I set out to slay the dragon from prior year’s past.
In keeping tradition, I am usually presented with a new theme, which sometimes coincides with an anniversary. If you look at all the years prior, chronologically, you can see an advancement in artistic calibre; some are small advancements, while some are big jumps forward. This year, I personally felt a quantum leap!
Combining foliage, floral, and sunshine seemed perfect for the young men from beautiful rainy Liverpool. The dense, colourful, and out of focus backgrounds plus each Beatles’ sunlit sparkling hair, each wisp of hair blowing in the slight breeze, was the most time consuming. Dazzling reflection on chrome and glass, coupled with hard light and shadows on Beatley skin and clothing was its own challenge. There’s a lot here to take in if the viewer looks deep into the layers of paint.”
A Long-Standing Friend of Beatleweek
Shannon’s connection to International Beatleweek, Liverpool and its musical heritage runs deep. A beloved figure in the global Beatles community, she has been part of the festival’s creative story for many years, producing numerous pieces of official artwork that have become instantly recognisable to fans around the world. Her work has helped shape the visual identity of Beatleweek, making her a natural choice to front the 2026 launch.
Based in the USA, Shannon has become an adopted member of the city of Liverpool’s vibrant musical family. Her portraits of John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr have earned international acclaim, and her wider portfolio includes collaborations with some of the biggest names in music. Over the years she has created artwork for Aerosmith, The Doobie Brothers, Cheap Trick, Motley Crüe, and numerous others whose trust in her distinctive style has cemented her reputation as a leading contemporary rock artist.
Alongside her visual art career, Shannon is also a musician, channelling the same creativity and expressive energy into her music as she does onto the canvas.
The release of Shannon’s brand-new 1966-inspired artwork officially marks the countdown to International Beatleweek Festival 2026 which goes on sale on Thursday 4th December. Fans from across the world can look forward to a packed programme of live music, special guests, unique shows and global Beatles talent descending on Liverpool for a celebration like no other.
Shannon adds
“I did take a risky bit of ‘artistic liberty’ this time: I did some dental work on that broken tooth Paul accumulated from his motorbike accident. The devotes have been quite vocal! I am happy to report, anticipated backlash has been ‘null’ – and Beatle fans are happy about Paul’s fixed smile. Even the ‘purists’ are all thumbs-up.
Influentially speaking, in keeping my promise to Neil Aspinall to always do my best to put The Beatles in ‘the best light’ possible, my guess is: That light just gets brighter every year.”
Tickets and festival packages will go on sale on Thursday 4th December, giving fans the chance to secure their place at one of the world’s most iconic Beatles events. Keep an eye on our website and social channels for the full festival reveal coming soon.
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