The Black Swamp Arts Festival, poised to return after being canceled last year because of the pandemic, unveiled its 2021 poster.
The poster was designed by Amy Karlovec, who along with her husband, Matt, created the festival’s posters for about a decade, before turning those duties over to other designers. She returned to create the poster for the 25th festival in 2017. Now with the festival at another key moment in its history, she has returned.
Karlovec said in her artist’s statement: “Although I have enjoyed designing many of the Black Swamp Arts Festival posters in the past, this year’s poster was significantly different. I wanted to come up with a design that when seen, would make people feel alive, energized and excited for the upcoming festival after a year hiatus.
“At the beginning of the lockdown, I started to play around with a whimsical design style that then led to incorporating alcohol ink artwork from my two daughters, Bella. 14, and Natalie 10, and my mother-in-law, Peg. All of the textures used in the illustrations are scanned from my family’s original alcohol ink artwork.
“From the dancing blades of grass and flowers, to the bright yellow background and blue clouds, to the iconic graphics of the festival – this year’s poster was a family collaboration.”
Over the past 15 years, festival’s posters, by Karlovec, Erin Holmberg, and Will Santino, have earned honors from “Sunshine Artist” magazine and are considered collector’s items by the festival faithful.
This year’s festival will be held in downtown Bowling Green, Sept. 10-12, featuring two art shows, music from national, regional and local performers, activities for youth, and a variety of food and beverages.
