Check out Musikfest 2017's official artwork (and posters since 1984)

Is it summer yet?

ArtsQuest on Wednesday unveiled its official artwork for the 34th installment of Musikfest, the August showcase of music, food, beer and more in Bethlehem.

The work is the product of Bethlehem-based painter and illustrator Bobby Zeik, whom ArtsQuest commissioned to create the 2017 poster. Zeik conceived the design digitally then spent months developing a physical piece on wood using spray paint and stencils, the nonprofit community arts organization said.

The mixed-media work was hand-cut layer by layer and included various gels and pastes blended together to create textures. The image of SteelStacks in the artwork was achieved by using an acrylic skin transfer on tissue paper to create a transparent effect.

"I wanted to capture the vibe of both Musikfest and Bethlehem," Zeik says in ArtsQuest's news release announcing the artwork. "One thing ArtsQuest stressed is that they wanted me to 'just do me,' which felt easier to say than to accomplish, so it took me a while to get the design to where I was really happy with it.

"The musicians in the piece are modeled off of a selection of photos that I chose based on the attitude of each performer, and they're done in low light to look like concert photography."

Zeik, 31, is a resident artist at ArtsQuest's Banana Factory on South Side Bethlehem. His work ranges from mixed-media to layered wood art, including portraits of Ernest Hemingway and David Bowie. He also does cartoon illustrations, photo recreations and abstract scenes that he has exhibited at Bethlehem House Gallery and RE:find in Allentown. Zeik is known in Lehigh Valley art circles for hiding original pieces, like Bill Murray and Christopher Walken heads, throughout Bethlehem during Free Art Fridays and sharing clues to their location on Instagram.

"As a community-based arts organization, one of our main focuses is promoting and supporting our local artists, so we are thrilled to have Banana Factory resident artist Bobby Zeik's artwork featured on this year's Musikfest poster," ArtsQuest Senior Director of Visual Arts Stacie Brennan says in Wednesday's release. "Bobby is a talented artist whose work highlights the burgeoning arts scene in Bethlehem, as well as the diverse arts programs being presented by ArtsQuest."

Bethlehem-based painter and illustrator Bobby Zeik works in his studio at the Banana Factory on the city's South Side. ArtsQuest commissioned the 31-year-old to create the official artwork for Musikfest 2017, which was unveiled Wednesday, March 8, 2017. (Courtesy photo | For lehighvalleylive.com)

Zeik's Musikfest work will be featured on the festival's website and 2017 poster and official mug, as well as in other official 'Fest merchandise and apparel throughout the year. In addition to online sales at musikfest.org, the poster will be available for purchase at the Stacks Shop at the ArtsQuest Center, 101 Founders Way, starting March 20.

"The 2017 Musikfest artwork really captures the energy, excitement and artists that make up our festival each year," says ArtsQuest Director of Marketing Jon Lunger. "Bobby's colorful image not only embodies the essence of the event, it also works well with so much of our merchandise and marketing plans for this year. We're looking forward to showcasing his work to the hundreds of thousands of people who will be attending the festival this summer."

Scheduled Aug. 4-13, Musikfest 2017 features more than 500 performances on 15 stages throughout Bethlehem over 10 days. Among the 300-plus performers slated to take the stage are Santana on Aug. 4, Chicago on Aug. 5, Toby Keith on Aug. 10, The Band Perry on Aug. 11, Lee Brice and Justin Moore on Aug. 12 and Ian Anderson presenting the best of Jethro Tull on Aug. 13.

Kurt Bresswein may be reached at kbresswein@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow him on Twitter @KurtBresswein. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.

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