HOLLAND'S VERA GRONINGEN EXHBITION @ VERA SEATTLE and FLATSTOCK 31 Seattle 2011

[guybur]

Several years ago, when Tuffy and I visited VERA in Groningen, Netherlands, after the first Tilburg poster fest, it came to me after talking to the Dutch artists that VERA Holland and The VERA PROJECT Seattle, should conspire to bring a delegation of the Dutch artists over to the US to complete a bridge of art and education that was begun when VERA PROJECT was created based on their Dutch forebears' efforts. And so, a couple of years later, it has become reality:

THE TRAVEL BLOG COMMENCES:
VERA-VERA

THE VERA PROJECT TO HOST VISITING SILKSCREEN ARTISTS FROM HOLLAND'S VERA GRONINGEN
​Vera is pleased to announce that two silkscreen artists from VERA Groningen—the Holland all-ages venue that served as the template, namesake, and inspiration for our cultural hub here in Seattle—will visit over Labor Day weekend for a stateside exhibit of their works and multiple free presentations on their unique artistic sensibilities. In addition to hosting years-worth of amazing all-ages shows with a wide variety of emerging and established musicians, VERA Groningen, like Vera Seattle, is an established artistic nexus in its community with a commitment to producing great silkscreen poster art and educating others in how to do so with professionally-led on-site classes and workshops.

Visiting artists Mirjam Dijkema and Kunny Van der Ploeg have curated an exhibit of over one hundred VERA Groningen show posters from the last twenty-four years, including some from the golden age of alternative rock showcasing talent like Sonic Youth, Beat Happening, Pearl Jam, Pavement, and Nirvana (from their 1989 tour with Tad!). This exhibit will open in Vera Seattle's art gallery on August 31st at 700 PM and is open to the general public. At the gallery opening, Dijkema and Van der Ploeg plan to share some insight into their artwork and how VERA Groningen fosters community involvement in the arts. The exhibit will feature works by current designers from VERA Groningen's VERA Art Division, along with a series of posters for each of the performers at Vera's Capitol Hill Block Party 2011 stage designed by local artists. The objective of the exhibit is to show the unique styles of both Veras' artists and allow patrons the opportunity to consider the distinct cultural perspectives that each artist brings to their own work, as well as celebrating screenprinting as an art form. Prints by VERA Groningen artists like Mara Piccione, Strawdogs, Willem Kolvoort, and Gosterk will also be displayed in the Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center as part of the American Poster Institute's 31st annual Flatstock exhibit at the Bumbershoot music and arts festival.

Additionally, Dijkema and Van der Ploeg will be leading free, half-hour presentations on their artistic philosophies Tuesday, September 6th at 6 PM at The Vera Project.

Dijkema and Van der Ploeg are two of VERA Groningen's most talented designers, having produced a volume of work as part of the "Vera Club," including gig posters for shows featuring bands like Akron Family, the Dodos, Camera Obscura, Cold War Kids, and more. "In [my work for VERA]," Kunny says, "I have the freedom to keep on exploring different themes and illustrative methods like drawing, hand lettering & collages."

For more information about this unique international collaboration, please contact Vera Seattle's Communications Coordinator at: Jasonb@theveraproject.org

ABOUT VERA Vera is an all-ages volunteer fueled music and arts venue. By engaging participants at all levels of music production and community organizing, Vera strives to fulfill its mission to foster a participatory creative culture through popular music concerts, arts programs, experiential learning and volunteer opportunities for all ages, especially young people. Vera’s programs are always all ages, with a focus on young people ages 14 to 24.

ALSO:
PORTLAND OREGON POSTERMART Appearances at MUSICFEST NW 2011:
In addition to other poster luminaries, STUDIO FRONTAAL designers Kunny Van der Ploeg and Mirjam Djikema will exhibit
at POSTERMART 1 in Portland, Sat Sept. 10, 2011 in the JUPITER HOTEL/DOUG FIR entertainment plaza.

[Andymac]

We will be producing 2 prints onsite at Flatstock 31 by Mirjam and Kunny. Drop by the API Demo booth and check out the magic.

[guybur]

Mirjam and Kunny have arrived and are becoming acclimated to Portland procedures and the adventure begins. Be sure to come by and introduce yourselves in Seattle during Flatstock etc...and participate in the VERA in the USA adventure.

[boatdreams]

I'm bummed that I can't make it to Seattle this year, but this exhibition makes me more bummed that I'm missing it.

[weaponsofmassdesign]

A small update on the Vera Seattle side. In celebration of Vera's 10th anniversary and to honor past and present poster artists, Vera Seattle's posters on display will be a collection of artists from past and present pulled from Vera's archives including: Andrio Abero, Jacob McMurray, Nat Damm, Tom Dewar, Brent Carpenter, Craig Updegrove, and more.

-DG