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Peace, Love and Poster

Patricio Robayo - Staff Writer
Posted 5/24/19

BETHEL — One of the most iconic images to come out of the Woodstock 1969 festival is the white dove perched on an acoustic guitar. That poster can now be found around the world and is synonymous …

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Peace, Love and Poster

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BETHEL — One of the most iconic images to come out of the Woodstock 1969 festival is the white dove perched on an acoustic guitar. That poster can now be found around the world and is synonymous with the spirit of that moment in history.

Fifty years later, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts wants to honor the past but keep an eye to the future by embracing what the next 50 years might bring.

Bethel Woods held a poster contest where over 273 artists submitted work, and last week they chose Tim Gralewski of Michigan as their winner for their competition, “Peace, Love, and Poster.”

“I got a call from a New York [number], and I thought it was just a scam or something,” said Gralewski. “But when I saw there was a voicemail, and it was Bethel Woods saying congratulations—I was like, oh my God I couldn't believe it. I was very excited. I never dreamed that I would actually win.”

Gralewski was inspired by the era of the '60s and the original poster for his design.

“Thinking about the design, I didn't just want to recreate the original poster, and Bethel Woods didn't want that either,” said Gralewski.

However, by using elements from the original poster, he has been able to create not only something new and modern but something that still recalls the Woodstock era.

“I first started with the guitar, and its silhouette and started [using] the different patterns and textures in the guitar and liked how it was coming along,” said Gralewski.

“The personal challenge for myself was for it not to become too busy since there were so many textures and patterns happening,” added Gralewski.

He went on his own Woodstock pilgrimage in 1999 to see the 30th anniversary concert that took place in Rome, New York.

Going there, he was hoping to see if they would be able to recapture the ‘69 festival; unfortunately, that concert was marred with violence.

After leaving the concert, he made his way down to Bethel to see the original site—before Bethel Woods Center for the Arts existed.

“Back then, just going to the monument and seeing the empty field became the highlight for me on the trip to Woodstock 99,” said Gralewski.

“[Just] walking around the field, I went ‘wow, this is where Jimi Hendrix played,' it gave me more of the feel of Woodstock,” said Gralewski.

A few years later, after Bethel Woods museum was built, he was able to see the artifacts and how the area has transformed since the museum has been developed.

“I was always fascinated with the event and to be able to design it and to be chosen for it. It's very cool. It's something that is important,” added Gralewski.

With all those thoughts in mind, Gralewski also gave a nod to Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young—one of the original performers at the festival—with butterflies in the corner of the poster.

It refers to the band's cover of Joni Mitchell's song, “Woodstock.”

“By the time we got to Woodstock. We were half a million strong. And everywhere was a song and a celebration. And I dreamed I saw the bomber death planes, riding shotgun in the sky, turning into butterflies above our nation.”

Gralewski said it was an excellent addition to the piece and it fits nicely in the corner of the poster.

All together Gralewski said it took about 336 hours to create the poster working when he got home from teaching and other freelance jobs he had.

Some of his influences are Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Robert Rauschenberg, and Shepard Fairey.

Gralewski will return to the garden—Bethel Woods Center for the Arts—on June 5 starting at 6 p.m. for “Power of the Poster” which will be part of the Bethel Woods ongoing series, “Vibrations.”

The event will feature renowned poster designers David Edward Byrd and Frank “Fraver” Verlizzo and will take attendees on a kaleidoscopic journey during the event.

There will also be hands-on workshops and an exhibit and talk with finalists and winners of Bethel Woods' “Peace, Love & Posters” contest.

“I never dreamed that I would actually win,” said Gralewski. “I mean that is what you hope for. It's very exciting. I am still excited.”

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