Festival 2010 Poster
FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS 2010 POSTER CAPTURES FUN AND DIVERSITY IN WEST MICHIGAN
In West Michigan, Festival of the Arts means many different things to people, from culinary delights to music, the arts and more. That’s why the 2010 Co-Chairs Stephanie Bergsma and Kimberly VandenBerg wanted to find local artists who would evoke the energy of Festival. This year’s collaboration between Reb Roberts and Robert Neumann made it possible to capture all of what Festival of the Arts represents.
Roberts and Neumann have created a poster filled with youthful vibrancy, and the design and colors seem to “pop” with energy and creativity. “It’s just like Festival itself, and exactly how we had imagined it,” says Bergsma.
Reb Roberts, a self-taught folk artist, is co-owner of Sanctuary Folk Art Gallery with his wife and fellow artist Carmella Loftis. Ten years ago, they established their business on South Division Avenue, which added to the growth of the Avenue for the Arts.
Robert Neumann began his professional career in 1981, after receiving his photography degree with an emphasis in photojournalism. Today, he is a successful commercial photographer who travels the country and weaves together stories of everyday people through a unique blend of artistic photography.
Before creating the Festival 2010 poster, Neumann and Roberts had not previously worked together. “I’ve known and respected Reb’s work for at least a decade, and I was honored to be asked to collaborate on this project,” says Neumann.
Neumann spent a day taking photos of Alexander Calder’s La Grande Vitesse to make sure he had many different angles and perspectives. As the sun traveled across the plaza, he was drawn to the shape of the sculpture and how the rivets appeared from below.
Neumann gave Roberts the final print as a canvas to work with. According to him, “Reb’s use of colors and sense of design made the poster a true vision for Festival 2010.”
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