“Beale Street Yesterday and Today” is the 24^th piece of art George Hunt has created for the Memphis in May Beale Street Music Festival

Memphis, Tenn., February 24, 2015 – Nationally renowned, Memphis-based artist, George Hunt, unveiled his latest composition and 2015 Beale Street Music Festival commemorative art piece entitled, “Beale Street Yesterday and Today,” Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at Triumph Bank in Memphis, Tennessee.

Triumph Bank sponsored the commissioned art that will be included on the 2015 Beale Street Music Festival commemorative poster and sold to benefit Memphis in May. Memphis in May is a not for profit, community-based organization that contributes over $70 million in economic impact to the community, fosters civic pride, promotes awareness of Memphis heritage, and builds international relationships and understanding through education.

The 2015 Beale Street Music Festival poster, as well as posters from previous years, can be purchased at area art galleries; at 1910 Frameworks, the official framer of Memphis in May; and online at: http://memphisinmay.org/category/bsmfposters. The 2015 Beale Street Music Festival commemorative poster costs $30 with signed versions costing $60.

George Hunt describes the inspiration for this year’s artwork as, “a look at Beale Street as a gathering place with images from Beale’s past alongside present day Beale. The setting is Hole in the Wall Café, an original Beale Street joint from the 1960’s and a place where you could find trouble. Performing the blues is Sweet Mama String Bean and Little Laura Dukes from Beale’s past along with street musicians from present day Beale Street such as the horn duo and even an Elvis tribute artist.”

“George Hunt has once again created a magnificent piece of art honoring the music heritage of Memphis,” said Jim Holt, Memphis in May President & CEO. “This colorful and detailed painting is a wonderful addition to the Beale Street Music Festival collection.”

Born in 1940 in rural Lake Charles, Louisiana, Hunt’s earliest artistic experiments consisted of drawings, paintings, and magazine collages inspired by many well-known artists, including Picasso. Hunt received his Bachelor of Art from the University of Arkansas and Masters of Art from the University of Memphis. For over thirty-five storied years, Hunt taught art at Carver High School in Memphis.

Hunt’s exuberant style is represented in many commissions and museum collections, including The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Chicago Blues Festival, New York’s International Art Expo, Bravo Television Network, to name a few, and in 2003 Hunt was commission to paint the “Year of the Blues.” His commissioned work was featured in Radio City Music Hall at the official kick-off celebration. Hunt’s painting America Cares (1997), which hung in the White House, was featured on a 2005 United States Postage Stamp as part of a 10-stamp series celebrating the nation’s civil rights movement.

More information on George Hunt can be found on his web site: http://www.georgehuntart.com/

About Memphis in May International Festival

In 2015 the Memphis in May International Festival is saluting Poland as the honored country in its 39th annual month-long celebration. In addition to hosting the city’s largest events like the Beale Street Music Festival, the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, and the AutoZone Sunset Symphony, Memphis in May also produces extensive educational, international, and economic programs for the city. Memphis in May International Festival is the official festival of the City of Memphis.

Memphis in May International Festival is a not for profit, community-based organization that contributes over $70 million in economic impact to the community, fosters civic pride, promotes awareness of Memphis heritage, and builds international relationships and understanding through education.

For additional information about the Memphis in May International Festival, please visit the official Memphis in May web site at www.memphisinmay.org.

PHOTO

Left to Right – Jim Holt, President & CEO, Memphis in May; George Hunt, Memphis Artist; Will Chase, President, Triumph Bank; and Wei Chen, 2015 Chairman of the Board, Memphis in May present George Hunt’s 2015 Beale Street Memphis in May Commemorative Art prior to unveiling the art piece that was sponsored by Triumph Bank and will be used for the 2015 commemorative Beale Street Music Festival poster.

Sponsored by:

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