The region’s biggest book festival, Books By the Banks, is going back to the beginning, so to speak, to celebrate the festival’s tenth anniversary. For its inaugural year in 2006, festival organizers commissioned beloved local children’s book author and illustrator Will Hillenbrand to design the event’s first commemorative poster. Since then, a new artist has been selected every year to design the poster. Unveiling the artwork has become a popular tradition and many festival goers collect all the posters.
This year, festival organizers decided to play homage to the original poster and the festival’s ten-year history by asking Hillenbrand to return for the 2016 design. In addition, Hillenbrand and Books by the Banks will donate copies of his latest book to hundreds of local school kids.
Hillenbrand’s artwork will be revealed at a special event at 6:30 p.m., Sept. 15, at Joseph-Beth Booksellers (2692 Madison Road). The event is free and open to the public, and attendees may purchase the poster for $15 and get it signed by Hillenbrand who, along with past poster illustrators, will briefly speak.
Books by the Banks will take place 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Oct. 15 at Duke Energy Convention Center (525 Elm St.). Meet over 100 authors, enjoy panel discussions, and visit a special kids’ area. For more info and a complete schedule, visit booksbythebanks.org.
Pictured: A portion of the 2015 Books by the Banks poster.