The 2015 collectable poster designed by Michael J. Husted. (Provided)
Tradition is a big part of a festival that’s next big milestone will be the 50th Anniversary in 2030. This year marks the 35th year of the Strawberry Festival on June 19 and 20 in Owego, and to commemorate the landmark anniversary – traditionally known as the Coral Anniversary – the Historic Owego Marketplace asked a local artist to design a collectable poster. And not just any artist.
Michael Husted and his extended family have been avid Strawberry Festival art contributors since the earliest days of the festival. He recalled a friend talking about organizing the festival with local businesses in 1980, the very first year. “Each year it’s gotten bigger,” Husted said.
Michael Husted, whose father is also Mike Husted, said they would prepare art each year when there was a contest for a t-shirt or poster design. The son would get his ready the day before, while the father would wait until the very last day to prepare his artwork. Then they would unveil the works in Mike Husted’s kitchen, Michael recalled, followed by a critique of their work.
In the 1990’s Michael Husted said the Owego Pennysaver ran a story with a picture of three generations of the Husted family – grandfather Mike, father Michael, and his daughter Crystal – each wearing t-shirts with one of their winning designs on it. That picture is a cherished keepsake Husted said.
This year, with an assignment to do a collectable poster for the Strawberry Festival, was more of a challenge than a win or lose contest for Husted. It’s always a challenge to come up with new ideas, Husted said, and he tried many concepts before settling on the poster, which is available from businesses around Owego during the Strawberry Festival. Husted wanted to avoid the look of commercial art, or the feel of a logo.
His design is an Impressionistic portrait of a strawberry, with deep green leaves flowing and merging with the brush strokes. The strength and confidence of Husted is evident, as is his love for the Strawberry Festival, which is subtly implied. It’s a beautiful work, evocative and dynamic, moving and stoic.
“It’s a really dreamy rendering of a strawberry,” festival Co-Chair Sandy Dunbar said, “you can see what you want in it. The first year we had a collectable poster, and we’re doing it again for the thirty-fifth anniversary. It was Laura Spencer Eberly’s idea to work with Michael.” Proceeds from the poster are going to further the activities of the Historic Owego Marketplace, Dunbar said, such as the Strawberry Festival, the Farm to Fork Evening Market and Supper Series, Lights on the River, and the Holiday Showcase.
“I approach jewelry design the same way,” Husted said, “I’m always searching for something new and unique.” For the past ten years Husted has been working as a Certified Master Bench Jeweler at Van Horn Jewelers located at 31 Lake St. in Owego, N.Y. He is one of only three such jewelers in New York, and 114 in the United States. Husted was also the 62nd person in America to obtain this prestigious title.
Each year Husted also designs a strawberry pendant, which is available at Van Horn Jewelers.
“I’m glad to be able to be a part of it,” Husted said of designing the 35th Anniversary Strawberry Festival Collectable Poster, “it was an honor to be asked to do it.”
