Made From Strain: A Creative Open Call for Budtenders Who Make Art

Cannabis culture has always been creative. But too often, the people driving that culture — the budtenders, the artists, the ones on the ground — get overlooked.

That ends now.

Utopian Threads is launching Made From Strain, a nationwide creative call for budtenders who are also artists, designers, and visual storytellers. We're looking for real voices from inside the cannabis community — and we're ready to build with you.

What Is It?

Made From Strain is a national search for four working budtenders to collaborate with the Utopian Threads design team on exclusive collection drops.

This isn’t a contest. It’s a paid creative partnership.

What’s Involved?

Each selected artist will:

• Collaborate on a limited-edition Utopian Threads collection

• Be featured in our national campaign

• Get exposure across dispensaries, retail, and the cannabis community

• Be paid up to $10,000 for their collaboration

• Choose a charity to receive a $1,000 donation in their name

• Be considered for future creative opportunities

Who Can Apply?

You must:

• Be 21+ and live in the U.S.

• Work as a budtender at a legal dispensary

• Have a portfolio with at least 3 original art or design pieces

What Kind of Art Are We Looking For?

We're open. Graphic design, illustration, collage, graffiti, digital, tattoo art — anything visual and expressive.

What matters most is that your work feels true to you, connected to the culture, and aligned with Utopian Threads’ energy. 

Timeline

• Applications Open: 04/20/2025

• Deadline to Apply: 07/01/2025

• Selected Artists Notified By: 07/20/2025

How to Apply

1. Head to Made From Strain

2. Fill out the short form

3. Share your portfolio (Dropbox, Drive, Behance, etc.)

4. Tell us about yourself and your creative vision for a collab

That’s it.

If You’re Selected

You’ll kick things off with our creative team, align on a vision, and have 4–6 weeks to bring the collection to life. We’ll handle production, launch, and distribution — you just bring the heat.

Ownership & Rights

Your original portfolio work remains yours. If selected, you’ll sign a short collab agreement that gives us the right to use and sell the final collection pieces we create together. You’ll always be credited.

Yes, There Are Taxes

Compensation is taxable income. We’ll provide the forms — but check with your tax advisor to plan accordingly.

Still Not Sure If You Should Apply?

You don’t need to be polished. You don’t need to be known.
If you create, if you care about the culture, if you’ve got something to say — this is for you.

Questions?

Hit us up at desiree@sanogardens.com