Michael Thompson-IRPC visiting world’s largest reggae music label-VP Records, meeting legendary Mrs Patricia Chin, founder of VP records.
AKTO Art & Design College in Athens, Greece launches a four-week International Reggae Poster exhibition.
Curator and co-founder Maria Papaefstathiou of the contest presented the 100 winning posters from the First International Reggae Poster Contest 2012 at the AKTO Art & Design College on November 22, the display will continue until December 15, 2012. At the end of the four-week exhibition, the founders Maria Papaefstathiou and Michael Thompson will hold a sale of the posters, with proceeds going to the Alpha Boys’ School, the legendary institution whose alumni have been credited with giving birth to Reggae
The exhibition titled World-A-Reggae. The 100 best entries, opened to a large and enthusiastic Greek audience, including students of the AKTO college. In attendance were designs professionals, the Jamaica Consul General to Greece William Argeros, The Cultural Attaché to the Israel Embassy in Athens Mr Ion Vassiliadis.
Michael Thompson, Jamaican co-founder, along with Maria Papaefstathiou of Greece, of the Reggae Poster Contest said: “We opened the exhibition here in Athens, Greece to share our bold objectives. In addition, we were able to exchange views on the topic of social design with graphic art students in this great city.
Maria said: “The exhibition in Athens proves, that what we have here in this contest is a universal message “One Love” and that even in Greece that message is understood clearly. We are grateful that AKTO was open to my idea to keep the exhibition there.”
The exhibition will close with a fantastic reggae party to honor this great music at AKTO art and design college, with the fantastic selectors Rankin Johnny and Anna Mystic.
The 10th place winner, Dimitris Evagelou from Greece next to his poster with Michael Thompson and Maria Papaefstathiou.
Founder Michael Thompson amongst Visual Designer Charis Tsevis and Social Affairs Manager, Eva Mavridou and other staff and friends of AKTO and the IRPC.
Michael Thompson being interviewed by MTv channel.
Consul General of Jamaica in Greece, William Argeros, talking to MTV channel.
Maria Papaefstathiou, co-founder, announcing the 2013 Reggae Poster Contest on MTv.
The founders with the famous artist Viktor Koen.
The founders with the amazing visual designer and judge of the contest Charis Tsevis
Tzanetos Petropouleas, (member of Graphic Design Association), Charis Tsevis (Visual Designer) and Christina Tsevis (Amazing Illustrator).
Help Jamaica and Hille Soundquake from Germany was there!!!
Their calendar for 2013 consists of 6 posters from the IRPC 2012 and 6 Freestylee posters. You can order it online!
Hille Soundquake from Germany playing at the exhibition!
Greek Selector Rankin Johnny from THC Sound System.
Freestylee Posters were also on sale !!!
You can order them online as well. Until the end of December, for only 25€ each. Information here.
IRPC featured article in the well known Greece Magazine LiFO.
IRPC brochure featuring the top 30 and the contributed posters. These are for sale at the same price sold at the auction which took place in Jamaica on 11th December 2012.
Manolis Aggelakis from Tind Silkscreen
will demonstrate, few days later, silk screen printing with one Freestylee design. Posters were given away to the attendants.
Michael Thompson, aka Freestylee, signing his beautiful silk screen poster.
Students and visitors watching Manolis while printing.
Some of the students and visitors learning the process…
Here Thodoris Mastrogiannis from Graphic Notes.
Here Dimos Stathis, co-founder of Corn Studio given a lesson by Manolis.
Before the printing, the founders of the contest had a discussion panel on the subject “How Design Can spark Change”. The panel attended by Luba Lukova from USA and Alon Braier from Israel, by skype, and Manolis Aggelakis from Tind.
The Exhibition opening was considered as a great success and everyone is looking forward to the next one in Greece with more amazing posters from the competition of 2013, soon to be announced.
Going once…. Reggae poster auction in Kingston, JA on Sunday November 11 to benefit Alpha Boys School.
November 4, 2012The Alpha Boys School and the International Reggae Poster Contest are very pleased to announce the auction of the top, limited edition posters from the contest, including special contributions from international poster artists, will be held on November 11 at the National Gallery of Jamaica in downtown Kingston. Douglas Reid of Grosvenor Galleries will conduct the auction and Bunny Rugs, lead singer of 10-time Grammy nominated act Third World, will serve as Celebrity Auctioneer. Click here to view the posters online. 100% of the proceeds will benefit Alpha Boys School. Interested parties who cannot be present for the auction but are interested in bidding should contact Alpha Boys School at alphaboysschool@gmail.com.
poster design by Luba Lukova, special contribution
From the simple to the sublime, the posters to be auctioned are currently the feature of a special exhibition entitled, “World A Reggae: the 100 Best Entries from the First International Reggae Poster Contest” which continues at the National Gallery of Jamaica until November 10. Comprised of the top 100 posters as well as original contributions from artists Luba Lukova, Juan Carlos Darias, Elmer Sosa, Roy Villalobos, Freestylee (the artist alter ego of contest founder Michael Thompson), Maria Papaefstathiou (the contest co-founder), and others, the posters represent a very special part of a world-wide conversation about Jamaican culture. A follow up exhibition is scheduled in Athens, Greece to open November 2012.
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The auction in Jamaica brings the first reggae poster contest full circle a little less than a full year from when it began. Since launching in December of last year, the reggae poster contest has become the source of an international effort to promote reggae culture, both artistically and in terms of giving back to the community. While the contest and subsequent exhibitions (both in Jamaica and Greece) meet the creative challenge set forth by founders Michael Thompson and Maria Papaefstathiou, the auction addresses social challenges with all the proceeds from the auction to benefit the Alpha Boys School. Alpha is also the inspiration for many posters that bear its name, or in the case of Luba Lukova’s specially contributed poster, a likeness of the late Sister Ignatious, former administrator of the school and known as the ‘godmother’ of reggae music. 
The first of its kind, the auction on November 11 will allow art lovers, reggae enthusiasts and fans of Jamaican pop culture to own a piece of history and support the Alpha Boys School at the same time. The Gallery will open its doors at 1 pm with the auction starting at 2:30 pm. Prior to the auction, the public is welcome to view the posters hanging on the Gallery walls for one last time. Buyers will be able to use major credit cards and cash. Checks will not be accepted. Payment is required on the same day.
Alpha Boys School is a residential vocational school serving at risk boys between 8 and 18 years old. Since 1890, and in addition to providing a general education and training in trades such as agriculture, printing, tailoring and woodworking, Alpha’s music program has produced some of the world’s most respected and skilled musicians. Jazz men like Dizzy Reece and Jo Jo Harriot as well as ska pioneers Don Drummond, Lester Sterling, Tommy McCook and Cedric Brooks (founding members of the Skatalites) not to mention dancehall deejay Yellowman, among many others, have all called Alpha their home. The music program continues to be a trusted source for touring and session bands as well as for hotels and cruise ships. Today, about 100 boys who call Alpha home are working hard to be the next generation of Jamaican success stories.
The 2012 First International Reggae Poster Contest (RPC) began December 27, 2011 with the goal of discovering fresh Reggae Poster designs from around the world. Interest in the contest grew significantly over the 4-month run with a total of 1,142 submissions from 80 countries. The contest winners were chosen from 370 finalists by a distinguished panel of judges known for their creativity and commitment to design.
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National Gallery of Jamaica launches six-week Reggae Poster exhibition
The Reggae Hall of Fame group presented a selection of the winning posters from the First International Reggae Poster Contest 2012 at the National Gallery of Jamaica on Sunday, 30 September 2012. At the end of the six-week exhibition, the group will hold an auction of the posters, with proceeds going to the Alpha Boys’ School, the legendary institution whose alumni have been credited with giving birth to Reggae.
The exhibition, labeled World-A-Reggae: The 100 best entries, opened to a large and enthusiastic Jamaican audience.
Michael Thompson, Jamaican co-founder, along with Maria Papaefstathiou of Greece, of the Reggae Poster Contest said: “We went to Kingston, Jamaica for one week to launch the exhibition and talk about our bold objectives. In addition, we were able to exchange views on the topic of social design with graphic art students on the island.
He said: “The exhibition was a success with record turnout. We had major support from local media and we are extremely pleased that radio, print and TV all recognized the importance of what we are doing.”
Maria Papaefstathiou and Michael Thompson, founders of the contest and in the middle Alon Braier, the 1st place winner.
The first 3 winning posters:
Alon Braier - Israel
Zafer Lehimler - Turkey
Rosario Nocera - Italy
- Gallery Director, Dr. Veerle Poupeye
Professor Carolyn Cooper giving her amazing speech on global reggae and contest's objective
Taj Francis on the left, the 5th winner and Alon Braier, 1st winner.
Stephanie Cambell (marketing consultant of Halfwaytree Roots), Susan Lee Quee, our website developer) and Michael Thomspon.
Edna Manley College
A lecture titled “Art, Graphic Design and Social Change,” was held at the Edna Manley College in Kingston, on October 2nd. This was conducted at the Vera Moody Concert Hall, Edna Manley College. The panel discussion was conducted by Winston Campbell, lecturer at the Edna Manley College. The panelists were Michael Thompson, Maria Papaefstathiou, founders of RPC. Alon Braier, first place winner of RPC and Veerle Poupeye, Executive Director of the National Gallery of Jamaica.
Alpha Boys’ School
It is our goal to make the Alpha Boys’ School both a theme and a beneficiary. Following the exhibition, in November, the posters will be auctioned with 100% of the proceeds going to Alpha. While in Jamaica, Michael Thompson, Maria Papaefstathiou, and winner Alon Barier, visited Alpha Boys’ School and conducted a workshop with the students. Alon also performed a couple musical numbers with the famous boys’ band. The staff and students were excited by our visit and the presentation we shared with them on the topic of Screen printing. At the end of the presentation, Sister Susan, shared a silkscreened poster designed by Michael Thompson, printed by TIND Silkscreen from Athens, Greece.
In addition, they were treated to a magical afternoon on October 2, at the recording studio of Creative Sounds Limited. Maria Papaefstathiou, Michael Thompson and Maria Thompson, Dr. Veerle Poupeye, Director of the National Gallery of Jamaica, and her assistant O’Neil Lawrence, were given a tour and treated to a wicked impromptu dub session which featured our International Reggae Poster Contest 2012 winner Alon Braier of Israel, whose Dub tribute poster won him the trip to Jamaica.
The jam session lasted for two hours of amazing reggae dub music, with Michael Carroll (managing director) keyboards, Paul Davidson (engineer) on drum machine and Alon Braier on bass Guitar. Creative Sounds is a leading recording studio and audio production house serving the communications/advertising industry in Jamaica.
“We want to big Up the Creative Sounds crew for supporting the Reggae Poster Contest and the visit of our winner to Jamaica’” Thompson added.
We wish to thank everyone who participated in this global journey we call The 1st International Reggae Poster Contest, and all those who worked behind the scenes to realize this testimony of love for Jamaica’s popular culture.
A special thanks to Dr. Veerle Poupeye, O’Neil Lawrence and their wonderful staff at the Gallery for bringing this to life and make it possible for Jamaicans to see the powerful love the world has for reggae music, demonstrated through our poster contest.
To the honorable Lisa Hanna, Jamaica’s Minister of Culture, and to Mr. Sydney Bartley who said: “Yes, the Jamaican people must see this.”
To all the judges who participated in choosing our 100 Best winners, and thanks to those who contributed their art to raise funds for Alpha as well. We also have to give big thanks to Mr. Ainsley Henriques and the Israeli Ambassador to Jamaica, Mr. Moshe Sermoneta, as well as the Government of Israel for bringing Alon to Jamaica.
We wish them to know that Alon served as an amazing ambassador for his country and the contest. He was happy to share his musical talent and good spirit wherever he went in Jamaica, and was the perfect winner for 2012. He represented very well, his country plus the soul and spirit of Reggae.
We owe Professor Carolyn Cooper of the University of the West Indies our appreciation for her strong, overall support. Big up!
Heartfelt thanks to Sister Susan, Joshua Chamberlain of Alpha Boys’ School, Stephanie Campbell (she is magic), Audrey Headley, and Susan Lee Quee, our website developer.
Thanks also to the Edna Manley College for giving us the opportunity to bring our message to the students.
This is a fantastic journey that we will never forget.
Thanks Jamaica!
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Do not miss! Major Exhibition at the National Gallery of Jamaica in Kingston! 30-9-2012
September 21, 2012The First International Reggae Poster Contest 2012, which far exceeded expectations, takes another giant step this month, 30 September 2012, with a major exhibition at the National Gallery of Jamaica in Kingston.
“We’re extremely pleased to be given the opportunity to present this global testimony for Reggae music in the homeland of the music, loved and performed worldwide,” says Michael Thompson, graphic artist known worldwide as Freestylee. “The exhibition presents an important platform to articulate our vision of a Reggae Hall of Fame in Kingston, Jamaica, in a structure that, in itself, would draw, like Reggae music, worldwide attention.”
We are very please to announce that the winner of the First International Reggae Poster Contest 2012 Alon Braier, will be attending the opening of our first major exhibition at the National Gallery of Jamaica in Kingston, Jamaica.
Looking forward to meet this great designer!
It is four months now since the First International Reggae Poster Contest 2012 was concluded and Alon Braier from Israel was awarded first place for his “Roots of Dub” design. Now that the buzz of our achievements are spreading, and the presentation of the 100 best reggae posters have been showcased reaching far and wide across the globe. We wish to share what has been happening since then, including some recent articles and interviews about the contest. The following interview of the founders Michael Thompson and Maria Papaefstathiou was conducted by the primer reggae website Jamaicansmusic.com. Read more
Interview with Artist Dimitris Evagelou, 10th and 46th winner of First Intl. Reggae Poster Contest 2012
August 13, 2012
Dimitris Evagelou is a graphic artist – illustrator, born in Larisa-Greece in 1977. He studied sketching, painting and architectural design under the guidance of the Greek painter Michalis Vamvakaris for 3 years. Dimitris studied Graphics and Desktop Publishing at Omega Institute in Athens and Design Graphics (BA Hons) at Staffordshire University School of Arts in UK.
He worked in several Advertising companies in Athens as graphic designer.
In 2005 he creates “Loopa” art bar in the small city of Volos, with the purpose of producing and promoting illustrations and experimental graphic design and futhermore, organising various exhibitions. One year after he returns in the city of Larisa as a freelance designer where he begins his co-operation with some local theatrical groups (Yp’atmon Theatre and Theatro Tehnon), creating and designing the whole visual communication of the groups. Today, Dimitris, has his own studio (Design/Good studio) in the small city of Larisa. His work has been published many times in local newspapers or magazines and also in various international creative blogs and websites.
Read his interview in >>> http://www.graphicart-news.com
Interview With Artist Alon Braier, the Winner of the First Reggae Poster Contest 2012
August 12, 2012
Alon Braier is a 28 years old freelance illustrator based in Jaffa, Israel. He graduated in 2010 from Bezalel Academy of Art and Design, Jerusalem, with one semester in Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA). In the last two years he has been working with a vast variety of clients, including several magazines, high tech companies, advertising agencies and design studios. We have the honor to host him at graphicart-news.com and share with us his experience as the winner of the First International Reggae Poster Contest 2012.
Read his interview in >>> http://www.graphicart-news.com
Interview with Artist Tomasz Bartz, 4th winner of the First Reggae Poster Contest 2012
August 12, 2012
Tomasz Bartz was born in Poland in 1986. In 2010, graduated with a diploma from the Graphic Design Department of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń. Since 2004, has worked as a freelance graphic designer. His artistic and professional work concentrates on poster design, corporate identities, print graphics and packaging. Recently, he also executes pop art paintings, based on icons that have been around for many generations.
Much of his art is inspired by typography. His mixed media techniques give his artwork a distinguishing mark of exclusivity. Some of these techniques are acrylic, crayon, textures and pasting.
Read his interview in >>> http://www.graphicart-news.com
