GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — One of Michigan's longest running art festival is paying homage to a Grand Rapids symbol, that inspired its creation. Festival of the Arts revealed its 2019 poster Thursday, April 11.
The poster shows the iconic Calder stabile, or La Grande Vitesse. It was dedicated in the city on June 14, 1969. According to a festival release, that dedication inspired the three-day community festival in 1970.
Poster artist, Steve Frykholm was chosen as the poster artist. He started his career as Herman Miller's very first graphic designer back in 1970. Frykholm retired from the company in 2015.
“Steve was an obvious choice to create the 50th celebration poster,” said David Abbott, Executive Director for Festival of the Arts. ”He is a luminary in the design community and we knew he would create something unique and compelling to commemorate this milestone event.”
“It was also 50 years ago that the critically acclaimed Calder stabile was installed, and it is the epicenter of the festival," said Frykholm. "After reviewing all the former posters in the lower level of City Hall, I decided on my direction–the iconic Calder would be my focal point. The Grand River and the Native American mounds are also important city symbols, and I wanted to include them. The large poster I came up with is simple and direct in its design and typography with a blue sky for optimism. I hope it inspires people to start their summer–and perhaps a suntan–by attending the 50th Grand Rapids Festival of the Arts in June.”
This year marks the 50th celebration for the summer festival. It will be held June 7, 8 and 9 in downtown Grand Rapids.
Both signed and unsigned versions of the poster will be for sale in the Festival Store and at the GRAM gift shop during the festival.
Visit http://festivalgr.org/ for more information.
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