Meet the Artists Behind The '24-'25 Kraken Specialty Jerseys

The Seattle Kraken have announced this year's Common Thread artists and shared a glimpse of their specialty jersey designs for Theme Nights.

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This Kraken have added Hispanic Heritage Night this year along with the reoccurring themes for: Military Appreciation, Kraken Hockey Fights Cancer, Indigenous Peoples Night, Pride, Lunar New Year, Black Hockey History, Women in Hockey, and Green Night. Fans can secure a limited-edition tote bag featuring the artist’s design when purchasing tickets through the Kraken’s Promotional Nights webpage.

Victor Melendez - Hispanic Heritage Night - October, 19th. Victor is a Seattle-based artist originally from Mexico City. Victor’s design draws inspiration from Quetzalcoatl (“Feathered Serpent” in Nahuatl), the God of Life, Light and Wisdom, also related to arts, crafts, knowledge, and learning. The pattern and colors in the art are inspired by ancient patterns found in architecture, textiles and art from all over Latin America.

Keith Stevenson - Indigenous Peoples Night - December 10th. Keith is a member and artist of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. He is known for maintaining cultural expertise while nurturing and protecting the intellectual and spiritual property rights of the Tribe. Keith’s design draws inspiration from textile designs from the Coast Salish territory and it is representative the Muckleshoot Indian Tribes’ Great Seal. Keith's design hopes to encompass and honor the indigenous communities within the Pacific Northwest.

Kelly Bjork - Pride Night - January, 6th. Kelly is a Seattle based illustrator. Her Pride Night design aims to depict a world of tenderness, acceptance, and vulnerability to share the sensations of emotional wellbeing – a message she they aims to foster in their life and in their community. The disco ball symbolizes a particular moment in the LGBTQIA+ communities’ journey to liberation; a time when queer people could openly self-express, and see their true selves reflected to them in spaces that felt inclusive and celebratory.

Shayla Hufana - Lunar New Year Night - January, 28th. Shayla is a visual artist and graphic & experiential designer based in Seattle. The Lunar New Year jersey design draws inspiration from the upcoming 2025 Year of the Fire Snake in a wood year. Shayla was also influenced by her Seattle roots and Filipino heritage, emphasizing the essence of family, friendship and teamwork in her designs.

Rae Akino - Black Hockey History Night – February, 4th. Rae’s reimagined Kraken “S” is a fusion of the traditional and the future; traditional African tribal patterns with bold, repetitive geometric shapes are combined with Afro-futuristic patterns, incorporating mechanical style lines almost resembling a circuit board. The D.C native is influenced music, theater, film, and life, using bold colors and expressive forms to explore consciousness, spirituality, sexuality, and self.

Marisol Ortega - Women in Hockey Night - March, 14th. Marisol is a first-generation Mexican American designer, illustrator, and letterer. Her design is inspired by the powerful women in her life, like her grandmother..Marisol hopes her artwork empowers women.

Kel Lauren - Green Night -  April, 12th. Kel is the first Common Thread artist from Portland, Ore.Their Green Night design incorporates threatened and endangered species of the Pacific Northwest and features well-known plants to commemorate the biodiversity in our region.

Related

Related: Kraken Release '24-'25 Theme Night Schedule

Related: Kraken Release '24-'25 Promotional Nights Schedule.

Related: Sights From Kraken Pride Night At Climate Pledge Arena

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