FLORENCE -The Music Preservation Society, Inc. (MPS) announces its 2019 Handy Festival Design Competition winner has been chosen. Artists of all ages were invited to participate in the contest to have their creation compete to be the featured design on 2019 W.C. Handy Music Festival brochures, official posters and t-shirts, and other marketing materials. Entries were judged on merit, suitability as a visual image, originality, and how well the design reflects the spirit of the Festival.
The design, submitted by Ashley Lamm Rogers, fit all the criteria and was selected by the MPS board members. Ashley currently lives in Murfreesboro, TN, but was born and raised in Florence spending many years attending the festival with her family. She graduated with a Bachler of Art Degree from the University of Mississippi and have worked as a freelance graphic artist for the past 14 years.
Ashley has entered the contest twice and won both times. According to Ashley, “I was inspired by a photo of W. C. Handy that included both is trumpet and piano. In the process of sketching and images and words on the poster, everything fell into place perfectly. Creating the artwork was more complicated as I used a linoleum cut and block process and then digitized the design.”
MPS Publicity Chairperson Alison Stanfield stated, “We received numerous entries that were very impressive. However, Ashley’s design was the standout this year. The committee loved that the design that was unlike any we have received in the past. Signed and unsigned posters featuring the design will be available at the Florence/Lauderdale Tourism Visitor Center and the Music Preservation Society Office beginning June 13. T-shirts and printed schedules will be available in the coming weeks.
Ashley and her family have made plans to attend the festival this year and she said, “Seeing something I have created all over my hometown is surreal and being able to share this experience with my family and friends is the icing on the cake.”
For more festival information at visit www.WCHandyMusicFestival.com or call 256-766-7642.
Media Release/Alison Stanfield, TMP – Director of Operations
Florence/Lauderdale Tourism
