Black Swamp Arts Festival turns to veteran designer to create 30th anniversary poster

Amy Karlovec, designer of the 2023 Black Swamp Arts Festival poster, was on hand to sign her work at Wednesday's BG Farmers Market.

From BLACK SWAMP ARTS FESTIVAL

Black Swamp Arts Festival has revealed its 2023 poster in anticipation of this year’s festival, scheduled for Sept. 8, 9, and 10. 

The 30th festival poster features the art of local resident and artist, Amy Karlovec.  Karlovec shared the following artist statement regarding the poster: 

“This year’s poster pays homage to the original 1993 Festival poster, adopting a captivating black and white style. The design incorporates musical and fine arts symbols along with flowers of this region, infused with a playful and whimsical nature. To commemorate the 30th Anniversary, I integrated accents of blue-green, a color that holds special significance for this celebration.

“It has been an honor to be asked to return and design the Black Swamp Arts Festival poster and merchandise for its 30th-year milestone. The festival has always had a special meaning to our family and friends and I wanted to create something that captured the essence of the festival and the Bowling Green arts community. My hopes are that this year’s poster brings a sense of joy and celebration of what the Black Swamp Arts Festival has to offer.”

Amy Karlovec

Karlovec is no stranger when it comes to creating amazing art for Black Swamp Arts Festival. She has showcased her work in the Wood County Art Invitational and has also designed several of the Festival’s previous posters. Dating back to 2005 when the poster was honored by Sunshine Artist Magazine several have been prize winners. Her poster for the 25th festival (2017) won a silver ADDY award from the American Advertising Federation and Sunshine Artist Magazine’s Most Creative Concept and her poster for the 2021 festival won a bronze ADDY and was recognized with an Overall Best award by Sunshine Artist Magazine in their yearly Show Poster Contest.

Karlovec has also volunteered with the festival for many years which includes working with the Concessions and Merchandise Committee and serving as the chair of the Marketing and Public Relations Committee for several years. 

All work for the BSAF, including the poster art and graphic design, is on a strictly volunteer basis. The festival would not be possible without the work of many dedicated volunteers in the area. Volunteers are still needed for this year’s festival, and information about volunteering at the festival can be found at www.blackswampfest.org/support

The Black Swamp Arts Festival is a three-day, free live music and arts festival committed to providing quality art and music experiences. Held in downtown Bowling Green, Ohio the first full weekend after Labor Day, there are three stages of music, two art shows, Youth Arts, Artists at Work, Chalk Walk, and more. 

For more information and to connect to the festival, visit www.blackswampfest.org, Black Swamp Arts Festival on Facebook and @blackswampfest on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.