Poster Art
Poster Archive Gallery | T-Shirt Gallery
This year’s theme “Jungle” is reflected in the 2011 Solstice Poster by Artist Michael Matheson. Michael has recently returned to his home town Santa Barbara after living and working as an artist in Los Angeles. He graduated with Honors from the Art Center College in Pasadena, CA in 2007. Inspired by history, syllables, letter form, beasts and color, Michael creates a visual language where the wilderness can merge happily with civilization. Santa Barbara inspired Michael’s love of the arts and his passion for creativity and he continues to draw inspiration from his surroundings and community.
Children’s Festival Poster Artist Laura Smith is a long-time resident of Santa Barbara who has been involved with Summer Solstice since 1994, either as a parade participant or an artist-in-residence, and also served on the Board of Directors from 1995-2002. Since 2007, Laura has created a children’s entry in the parade, drawing on her skills as a sculptor, set builder, painter, mask maker and costumer. Her daughter, from ages 4-8, has provided the idea and inspiration for these floats, usually making a crayon sketch that Laura takes great delight in making into a 3-D reality. This year, Laura’s early drawings of a float concept inspired her to submit an illustration for the poster competition, a piece entitled “Go Bananas”. Look for a float of the same name in this year’s parade!
Since the beginning of the Summer Solstice Celebration, there has been a flier or poster announcing the Celebration to the community. Michael Gonzales, originator of the Solstice Celebration, designed the early fliers and posters. Since the first poster competition in 1974, local artists submit their artwork each year by January when all entries are hung at the Sojourner Restaurant in Santa Barbara for the community to vote for their favorite.
As the Solstice Celebration grew in size and notoriety, so has the demand for additional Solstice Products. Now the winning design is imprinted on Posters, T-Shirts and hats. Sales of these items generate much of the revenue needed to produce the Solstice Celebration.
These products are sold on-line, at local events and through the Solstice administrative office. Visit our Solstice Store today or visit our archives to review shirts or posters from years past. A limited number of archive posters are $25 and are available by contacting the Summer Solstice office at (805) 965-3396 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Please indicate which year you are interested in. Usually only the current year’s shirts are available online, but vintage Solstice products are sold at the Festival in Alameda Park
