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Arnold Skolnick
Born
Arnold H. Skolnick

(1937-02-25)February 25, 1937
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
DiedJune 15, 2022(2022-06-15) (aged 85)
Amherst, Massachusetts, U.S.
Occupation(s)Graphic Designer, book publisher

Arnold H. Skolnick (February 25, 1937 – June 15, 2022) was an American graphic artist and book publisher.[1][2] His best-known work is the original 1969 poster for the Woodstock Art and Music Fair.[3]

1969 Woodstock poster

Skolnick's 1969 Woodstock poster showed a white catbird perched on the neck of an acoustic guitar with a hand holding it.

Woodstock Ventures asked Skolnick to design a music and art fair poster. Skolnick's son Peter remembers watching his father cut the words and bird from paper. He also remembers his father trying different layouts. Skolnick was hired on a Thursday and delivered the poster the following Monday around 11 am. Although much money has been made from Skolnick's symbol, he received only one royalty check of about $15. While Skolnick won many awards, perhaps his 1969 and his 40th anniversary Woodstock posters are his most famous.[4]

Book publishing

Skolnick next started Imago Imprint, a company that published, designed, and produced mostly art books. It was established in New York City and led to a number of published books such as Lightest Blues (Great Humor from the 1930s) and Paul Cadmus. His company Chameleon Books led to many more art books such as The Lyrical Constructivist: Don Gummer Sculpture, The Girl with the Watering Can, Hyman Bloom, and Times Squared (photographs by Toby Old). He also worked on projects with companies such as Carl Little, Pomegranate, Down East Books, Potter, Rizzoli, First Glance Books, and Chronicle Books.

Fine artist

Skolnick's drawings, paintings, and photography have been exhibited in Massachusetts at the Oxbow, Michelson & William Baczek Fine Art Galleries and in various galleries in New York City.

Death

Skolnick died on June 15, 2022. His son, Alexander Skolnick, stated that the cause of death was respiratory failure.[5]

Gallery exhibitions

Articles and reviews

References

  1. ^ Genzlinger, Neil (June 30, 2022). "Arnold Skolnick, Whose Poster Embodied Woodstock, Dies at 85". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  2. ^ Schudel, Matt (July 2, 2022). "Arnold Skolnick, designer of renowned Woodstock poster, dies at 85". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  3. ^ In french : Grégoire Leménager, Le miracle Woodstock, L'Obs (issn:0029-4713), n°2852, 4 au 10 juillet 2019, total pages:73 à 77, page:75
  4. ^ "Woodstock Story Interview with Arnold Skolnick"
  5. ^ Genzlinger, Neil (June 30, 2022). "Arnold Skolnick, Whose Poster Embodied Woodstock, Dies at 85". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
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