All proceeds to benefit The Fund for Racial Justice and Equity

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Musikfest 2021 poster artist Mandy Martin will host a silent auction for her original 36X48 Musikfest poster painting, through Clickbid, with all auction proceeds benefiting The Fund for Racial Justice and Equity (FRJE), powered by the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley. The winner will be announced after the festival on Monday, August 16.

Since its launch in June 2020, The Fund for Racial Justice and Equity (FRJE), powered by the United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley, has established governance, fundraising and investment strategies and will begin implementing work through three critical avenues to advance the goal of increasing prosperity for Black and Brown leaders. The fund is dedicated to targeted and intentional approaches to support personal, organizational and ecosystem development leading to greater influence and economic vitality at the hands of Black and Brown leaders.

“We are honored to have worked with Mandy, not only on this year’s poster, which instills hope with its message, but also on the silent auction which will benefit the empowering mission of The Fund for Racial Justice and Equity,” said ArtsQuest Sr. Director of Visual Arts and Education Lisa Harms. “Not only will someone get to go home with this historical, original painting, but they’ll also be investing in community-led efforts to end systemic racism.”

With bold depictions of red poppies at its forefront, this year’s poster’s theme is based on the symbol of rebirth that poppies came to be in the wake of World War I. Martin, whose work has also been exhibited at the New Hope Art Center in New Hope, Pa. and the Annmarie Arts Center in Solomon, Md. is from Sellersville, Pa., where the natural settings around her influence her paintings.

Martin’s work can be seen on her website. She hopes, through her art, to “inspire viewers to look more carefully at the world around them, to discover beauty in unexpected places and to take care of the Earth.” She will also be hosting a live painting demo during the ‘fest on Saturday, August 7 at noon in the Crayola Creativity Tent.

“I often start a painting session by cranking up the tunes and dancing around my studio; it helps me get out of my head and connect to my heart. My paintings might not exist if it wasn’t for music,” said Martin.

“That’s why I was so excited to create artwork for the Musikfest poster. It hits all the buttons for me, especially because there’s nothing like the energy at a concert between the artists on stage and the audience. I’m looking forward to my artist demo on August 7 where I will share how I stay ‘loose’ when painting delicate poppies.”

A photo of this year’s poster can be downloaded here. Musikfest will take place Aug. 6 – 15, 2021, with a special preview night on Thurs., Aug. 5. Visit musikfest.org to view participating vendors and performers. You can also download the free Musikfest app, powered by PNC, from the Apple or Google Play app stores.

 
Information provided to TVL by:
Nicole Harrell
ArtsQuest Director of Communications
http://www.artsquest.org/

 

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