Tulip Time Festival Announces the Winner of the 2012 Festival Poster

Holland, MI – Thursday evening at Evergreen Commons was an exciting night for Brittany Strabbing. Her acrylic painting titled “Beautiful Dream” was unveiled as the winning entry in the Art in Bloom competition for the 2012 Tulip Time Festival Poster. The reception was attended by festival sponsors and community partners.

This is the second year for the Art in Bloom competition. This year 53 artists submitted a total of 93 works for the competition which is a collaboration between the Tulip Time Festival and the Holland Area Arts Council and sponsored by Lighthouse Group. This year’s panel of judges included West Michigan art experts, Steve Frykholm, Creative Director of Herman Miller and himself a previous Tulip Time poster artist, Stephanie Milanowski, Assistant Professor of Art and Design at Hope College, and Henry Matthews, Director of Galleries and Collections at Grand Valley State University. The panel of 3 narrowed the field to 20 artworks, then, joined by representatives of Tulip Time and the Holland Area Arts Council, selected Strabbing’s work as final winner.

The remaining 19 works will be displayed in the windows of downtown Holland shops beginning April 27, 2012 for a chance to win one of 3 prizes as the People’s Choice. The Holland community and visitors are invited to view the pieces and vote on their favorites. The top 3 will be announced at the Holland Area Arts Council on May 12 at 10:00 a.m. and will each win cash prizes.

Brittany Strabbing lives in Zeeland with her husband and young son. They are expecting their second child in mid-April. She has been painting since she was a child but her only formal training was received in her art classes at Williamston High School near

Mason, Michigan. Brittany labels her winning painting as semi-impressionistic and states that it is a change in direction for her. Most of her work is done in a much more realistic, fine art style. When asked why she made the style change she said that it just happened. The playful, fun, youthful tulips “just kind of painted themselves”. She says that aside from an entry in a Zeeland contest to design a banner, this is her first entry into any art competition. Artists were required to name their work so Strabbing consulted her family for suggestions, but when her 4 year old son said “it looks like a beautiful dream” she knew that no other name would be a better fit.

The image of “Beautiful Dream” will be available for purchase in several formats, various size posters, giclee prints and other merchandise. Items will be available for purchase through the Tulip Time Festival office, local galleries and shops, and online at www.tuliptime.com beginning February 13, 2012.

Tulip Time Festival thanks Lighthouse Group, Alpen Rose Restaurant and Fifth Third Bank for their continued community commitment and support of the 2012 Tulip Time Festival Poster Reception.

Tulip Time Festival 2012 is May 5 – 12. Detailed program and event information for the coming festival is available on www.tuliptime.com.