When Asia Lamela submitted her design to the Anh Phoong billboard art contest earlier this year, she didn’t expect to win. But out of more than 400 statewide entries, her remix of Rosie the Riveter—blending empowerment with bold, familiar branding—rose to the top.
Lamela, a local artist who’s been part of the Stockton creative scene for several years, said the experience was both validating and energizing. “It was a really big deal,” she said. “To all of my artist friends, we felt like it was kind of a group win.”
The contest, hosted by attorney Anh Phoong, awarded $5,000 to the winner and offered artists across California a chance to be featured on digital billboards. Lamela’s entry stood out for its creativity and its celebration of women, culture, and resilience.
Phoong Law founder Anh Phoong said the idea stemmed from community interest. “People would send me drawings and versions of my billboards, so I thought, why not turn it into a contest?” Phoong said. “We raised the prize and ended up with over 400 submissions.”
After meeting Asia Lamela, the winning artist, Phoong said their visions aligned. “Her Rosie the Riveter-inspired design was simple, bold, and perfectly reflected what I stand for,” she said. “It’s exciting to highlight and celebrate an artist like Asia.”
Her process combined deep research, graphic design tools like Photoshop and Illustrator, and even a bit of AI for pose reference. “I used my own hand in the design because I struggle with drawing hands,” she said, laughing. “But I make the kind of art I want to hang on my own walls.”
Originally from the Bay Area, Lamela has called Stockton home for the last few years and says she’s proud to represent the city’s creative spirit. “A lot of people don’t get to make it out of here,” she said. “So this was really cool and inspiring.”
Beyond the billboard, Lamela also contributed art to Prevail, a local youth shelter, helping to bring life and color to the space through murals. Her themes often center around empowerment and healing, and she hopes to explore more personal, playful styles influenced by kawaii culture in future projects.
When asked what advice she’d give to young aspiring artists, Lamela didn’t hesitate. “Figure out what you love and just go for it. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s wrong—what makes you happy can take you places.”
Lamela’s work is now visible high above the city. But for the Stockton artist, the most meaningful win might just be the one that lives on the ground—among her community.