The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. 1980

Curator: Lanny Sommese's poster, "The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts" from 1980. A really interesting work. Editor: Wow, it’s vibrant, almost jarring. The pink background certainly makes a statement, and that rough, childlike quality is compelling. What is it? A clown? Curator: In essence. The artist blends high art with something approaching folk art. The very rough marks disrupt traditional print media. Notice how he deploys readily available materials—this appears to be a deliberate attempt to democratize art, mirroring the ethos of a public arts festival. Editor: From a formal point of view, the use of simple geometric shapes contrasted with those whimsical treble clefs makes for a captivating composition. And that pencil-hat detail introduces such an interesting tension between art and music! Curator: Precisely. Sommese uses easily reproduced elements in order to encourage attendance. Note too the direct language used. What does a large-scale public art event achieve for a community like State College? Who has access to that, who benefits, who is excluded? The image here becomes almost an advertisement for that access, an index of possibility. Editor: Though the artist gives us all those cues for the message's function within culture, those rough lines create a tactile experience. I mean, the use of bright color creates depth. Plus that off-center balance forces your eye around the image. The composition makes the image stick with you. Curator: The date on the poster reminds me of how community-driven these art events were then, before so much moved online. The very material experience of gathering and witnessing is something of a lost moment. The poster's purpose, beyond pure aesthetics, is what stands out. Editor: I suppose you're right. I am too interested in its elements. However, I love how Sommese brings playfulness together with a formal announcement. I’d say, considering both our perspectives, it certainly captures attention!