Lino Lakes Artist Chosen to Create Official 2011 State Fair Commemorative Art

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Steve Thomas, Official 2011 Minnesota State Fair Commemorative Artist

ST. PAUL, MINN. (02/01/2011)(readMedia)-- From a pool of nearly 80 artists, Steve Thomas of Lino Lakes has been chosen to create the Official 2011 Minnesota State Fair Commemorative Art. Just prior to the 2010 State Fair, officials announced a first-ever Commemorative Art Call for Submissions. Any Minnesota artist could apply. From the nearly 80 applicants, five finalists including Thomas were chosen to create near-complete artistic interpretations of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. From that group, Thomas was selected as the official artist by a panel of judges including members of the visual arts community and State Fair staff. His original art will be unveiled at the fairgrounds in June and displayed at the Fine Arts Center during the fair's 12-day run.

Thomas is a self-taught illustrator who has been creating art since he could pick up a crayon. A graphic artist and Web producer, he has worked in the newspaper industry for 13 years and is a two-time recipient of the Society for News Design's Best in Newspaper Design Award. He also runs his own small business, Steve Thomas Art & Illustration. His style ranges from graphic to painterly, as he works in both digital and traditional mediums, sometimes combining the two. Much of Thomas' artistic inspiration comes from pulp and poster art from the early- to mid-20th century. He has a degree in Visual Communication from Ohio University. For more about Steve Thomas' work, visit www.stevethomasart.com.

"It's an amazing feeling and an incredible honor to be chosen from such a diverse and talented group of artists," Thomas said. "I can remember seeing past commemorative art and thinking how wonderful it would be to share my State Fair vision. The art to be unveiled captures iconic elements of the fair and is based largely on photos I took. I guess you could say it's a snapshot of my fair experience."

After the June unveiling, commemorative posters, a limited number of signed giclee prints and other merchandise featuring the art will be available for purchase. Proceeds will support the Minnesota State Fair Foundation mission to preserve and improve State Fair buildings, grounds and educational experiences.

The 2011 Official Commemorative Art will be the eighth in a series of annual artwork created exclusively for the Great Minnesota Get-Together. In previous years, Minnesota State Fair artists have included: Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher (2004), Mary GrandPré (2005), Nancy Carlson (2006), Michael Birawer (2007), Edie Abnet (2008), Leo Stans (2009) and Deborah Voyda Rogers (2010). A gallery of past artwork is available at www.mnstatefair.org/art.

The Minnesota State Fair is one of the largest and best-attended expositions in the world, attracting nearly 1.8 million visitors annually. Showcasing Minnesota's finest agriculture, art and industry, the Great Minnesota Get-Together is always 12 Days of Fun Ending Labor Day. Visit www.mnstatefair.org for more information.

The 2011 Minnesota State Fair runs Aug. 25 - Labor Day, Sept. 5.