Feature Points
- VINTAGE PRINT REPRODUCTION: Historic reproduction of 1981 Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts Poster. Printed on archival-grade paper that resists fading and discoloration for over 100 years. Perfect for home, office, or gallery display.
- PREMIUM GALLERY PAPER: Heavyweight fine art paper with non-reflective matte finish eliminates glare while delivering museum-grade appearance and lasting durability.
- PROFESSIONALLY RESTORED: Each image is digitally restored by our art specialists to remove age-related deterioration while preserving authentic historical details and character.
- BORDERLESS DESIGN: Artwork prints edge-to-edge for a seamless, gallery-ready appearance. Ships protected in rigid tube packaging to prevent damage and ensure perfect condition upon arrival.
- MADE IN USA: Our multi-step restoration process and quality control ensure each print meets professional standards. Every reproduction is individually inspected before shipping.
Additional Information
Designed by Lanny Sommese in 1981, this playful color poster featuring a cat and dog promoted the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts, the beloved annual celebration held in State College, Pennsylvania. Sommese, a Penn State graphic design professor, created the festival's iconic posters for over forty consecutive years.
Born in East Moline, Illinois in 1943, Sommese earned his BFA from the University of Florida and MFA from the University of Illinois before joining Penn State's faculty in 1970. His witty visual metaphors and bold graphic compositions earned him membership in the elite Alliance Graphique Internationale based in Zurich.
Sommese's work won Gold Medals at the International Biennial of the Poster of Mexico, the Colorado Poster Biennial, and the Triennial of Stage Poster Sofia. His designs are preserved in collections spanning the Library of Congress, the Muzeum Plakatu in Warsaw, and the Musée d'Histoire Contemporaine in Paris.
This reproduction captures one of Sommese's charming early festival posters, created during a four-decade partnership that gave the Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts its distinctive visual identity. Prized by collectors of American graphic design and festival poster art, it celebrates the enduring power of community arts celebration.
