TULSA – The original artwork for the Mayfest 2009 poster will be unveiled Thursday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m. at Oklahoma State University-Tulsa’s Helmerich Advanced Technology Research Center.

Now in its 37th year, Mayfest is Tulsa’s annual outdoor fine arts and music festival. The event will take place May 14-17 in downtown Tulsa.

William Franklin, a self-taught artist and Tulsa resident, has been selected as this year’s poster artist. When asked to describe the piece, Franklin said, “It acts as a reminder, to not forget the past, but to take the best of it, and weave it together with our own dreams for the future, to create something that is uniquely and wonderfully Tulsa.”

Franklin attributes his artistic talent to the three generations of artists on both sides of his family. He is a mural artist and has an affinity for French and Italian "old world" art. Although the majority of his work is done in private homes, the public can view some of Franklin’s creations at WinStar Casino and the Aquarium Inn and Suites in Jenks.

Mayfest posters will be available for purchase at the unveiling for $25 if signed by the artist and $15 for unsigned. Posters will also be available after the unveiling at the Mayfest offices, located at 321 S. Boston Ave., Suite 101 and the souvenir shop during the festival.

The event will begin at 5 p.m., with the unveiling taking place around 5:30 p.m. OSU-Tulsa is located at 700 North Greenwood Avenue, near I-244 and Detroit Avenue. For more information about Mayfest, visit www.tulsamayfest.org.

News Contacts:

Mary Bea Drummond
918-594-8223

Trish McBeath
918-594-8360