Commemorative Poster
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2023 Erie County Fair Commemorative Poster Art by Jeff Dean
The 2023 Erie County Fair's Official Commemorative Poster Artwork was unveiled at the Fairgrounds on Wednesday, July 26. The original artwork, created by Jeff Dean, is a 8"x10", 9-color reduction woodcut, using shina plywood block and renaissance Graphics oil-based ink on 175gsm 100% cotton Stonehenge light paper.

A reduction woodcut print uses a single block, carved and printed for each successive color, destroying the block in the process, limiting the edition to only as many sheets as the printmaker begins with.

The poster will be on display during the Fair August 9-20, 2023.

About the Artist

Jeff believes, as far as he knows, he may be one of only a handful of reduction woodcut printmakers who uses an antique cast-iron bookbinding screw press to make his impressions.

"As an artist, the Erie County Fair has been extremely important to me - months after beginning my journey as a printmaker, I entered my very first reduction woodcut in the fair, taking home a red ribbon. I have entered at least one piece in almost every fair since, collecting ribbons of all colors, as well as a few special awards, along the way. It has become an unmissable tradition for my wife (also a fine, ribbon-winning crafter) and me."

When Jeff submitted his sketch, he described his design as such;
"to highlight all that is happening on any given day - food, rides, animals, entertainment. My concept was to offer 12 rectangles, each full of a reminder of what's happening at the fair, from the opening day celebration, to the final fireworks, there is always something going on, for everyone. Each block will be an exciting color background, with the subject in silhouette, giving a dynamic, yet rustic, suggestion of activities that fill The 12 Best Days of Summer. I believe woodcut is the perfect medium for this poster, as it evokes the early days of the Fair, when show posters were made with hand-carved blocks and printed on a letterpress."
Purchase a signed print: A limited number of signed prints - only 100 - will be available at the Fair gift shop during the Fair. Prints are 16" x 20".

Purchase a poster: Available at the Fair gift shop during the Fair. Posters are 16"x20".
2024 Erie County Fair Commemorative Poster Art by Crista Sukennik

Congratulations to our artist, Crista Sukennik, for her work on this beautiful design. The vignettes are acrylic paintings done individually by hand. Once photographed, the pieces were compiled and refined digitally. Each inset painting within the design depicts a beloved part of the Fair, from the fair food favorites to the activities, music, and the entertainment we all enjoy.

Crista has performed at the Erie County Fair for 24 years with her family in the Ramblin’ Lou Band. Crista has been up on the Fair’s stages since the moment she was born and we’re so fortunate to have her become an even bigger part of the Fair family with this special poster design.

The poster will be on sale at the 2024 Erie County Fair with proceeds going towards the Erie County Agricultural Society’s Scholarship Fund.

2024 Commemorative Poster
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