Famed Harry Potter Illustrator to Design Bradenton Blues Festival Poster

BRADENTON -- Mary GrandPré, the celebrated illustrator best known for her cover and chapter illustrations for the American editions of the Harry Potter books, has signed on for a second year to create the poster for the Bradenton Blues Festival. Proceeds from sales of the limited-edition poster and original artwork will benefit the festival's youth outreach programs, including "Blues in the Schools."

Mary GrandPre and Paula Murray

"We're thrilled that Mary GrandPré has agreed to once again illustrate the Bradenton Blues Festival poster," says Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton, the organization behind the Bradenton Blues Festival. "Last year's striking poster was iconic—an instant classic. It also became a coveted collector's item and helped us raise much-needed funds for our youth education programs. We're grateful to Mary for her generosity and dedication to this festival and to our community."

As she did last year, GrandPré will work closely with designer Paula Murray of ArteFact Design to create the poster. Murray also designed the festival's popular logo that graces print ads, billboards, t-shirts and caps.

Both women fill the soundtrack of their lives with the blues. Murray is a blues drummer, and GrandPré fills her studio with the music of such blues giants as Keb' Mo', Taj Mahal and Etta James. "It's a treat to be able to work together on a project that fuses our love of art and music—and also benefits our community and its youth," says GrandPré.

According to Isham, only 200 limited-edition copies of the 2013 poster, signed by the artist, will be available for sale. Isham says the 2013 posters will be available for purchase for $50 starting October 15 at Keeton’s Office & Art Supply, 817 Manatee Avenue West in downtown Bradenton. GrandPré's original artwork will be auctioned off on the day of the festival. 

The 2013 Bradenton Blues Festival returns to downtown Bradenton's Riverwalk, December 7, 2013. The lineup includes the acclaimed young vocalist Shemekia Copeland; the celebrated Eddie Shaw & the Wolfgang; musical siblings Danielle, Kris and Nick Schnebelen of the critically acclaimed Trampled Under Foot; guitarist, singer, and songwriter Anthony Gomes; rising blues star John Nemeth; Mississippi soul-blues man Johnny Rawls; the Doug Deming and the Jewel Tones with Dennis Gruenling band; and soulful, rising blues star, Albert Castiglia. 

Tickets are $30 in advance; $40 at the gate; $25 per person for groups of 10 or more; $20 for students; and $10 for children, ages 5-12. Children four and under will be admitted free. For more information or to buy tickets, visit www.BradentonBluesFestival.org.