Old Spanish Day
By the Old Spanish Days
Old Spanish Days Fiesta is thrilled to announce the release of the 2023 Fiesta poster. After months of creative planning, the historic tradition of releasing an annual commemorative poster continued as this year’s El Presidente, David Bolton, unveiled the 2023 Fiesta poster [Tuesday].
The 2023 poster features a beautiful dancing couple at the foot of Stearns Wharf with Santa Barbara’s iconic waterfront in the background. The scene combines the vibrant colors of Fiesta with the stunning coastal view that is enjoyed by countless locals and visitors alike.
Since 1924, the annual Fiesta poster has been a symbol of that year’s annual community celebration. It is the culmination of a vision and style spearheaded by the year’s head of the now 99-year-old organization. “Figuring out a way to combine dance, energy and our city’s beauty became the goal in creating this year’s Fiesta poster,” said 2023 El Presidente David Bolton. “It was nearly a year-long effort, but well worth it. I wanted to keep things simple and not too busy, and also feature an original design for the poster. In the end, we were able to combine an energetic dancing couple with our beautiful beachfront.”
The poster is an original design that highlights Cabrillo Boulevard which will once again be the main parade route for the highly anticipated Desfile Historico (Historical Parade). In addition, the new “Mercado de la Playa” will also be held on Cabrillo Boulevard in the parking lot of Santa Barbara City College’s La Playa Stadium.
“The poster represents our strong bond and connection with the incredible city of Santa Barbara” added Bolton. “You can’t have Fiesta without Santa Barbara and in many ways, you can’t have Santa Barbara without Fiesta.”
El Presidente Bolton developed the elements and vision for the poster and then worked via phone and zoom meetings with a pair of leading graphic designers from the Netherlands who he was introduced to by the Consul General of Tourism for Spain. Fittingly, the lead designer of the poster is originally from Southern Spain’s Andalusia region where so much of the culture we celebrate during Fiesta has its roots.
The 2023 poster is available for purchase for $20 on the Fiesta website at www.sbfiesta.org/shop. Ten limited edition 2023 posters, printed on metal, will be part of a live auction during the La Primavera fundraiser at the historic Casa De La Guerra and El Paseo restaurant on May 13, 2023. Tickets for this wonderful event are on sale now at www.sbfiesta.org.
About Old Spanish Days Fiesta: First held in 1924, Fiesta celebrates a period of romance and hospitality through pageantry, dance, music, costume and cuisine. Old Spanish Days in Santa Barbara, Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit corporation dedicated to honoring and preserving Santa Barbara’s history, spirit, culture, heritage and traditions. Fiesta 2023 will take place in various locations around the city starting August 2 to August 6, 2023. Visit www.sbfiesta.org for more information, to purchase tickets or to make a tax-deductible donation.
History of the Fiesta Poster prepared by Old Spanish Days historian and 2023 El Presidente David Bolton: The first Old Spanish Days Fiesta poster was designed in 1924 by prominent artist Frederick A. Pawley. He won a local contest. There was no poster in 1925 following the cancellation of Fiesta due to the June 29, 1925 earthquake.
In the late 1920’s, Fiesta posters were created to promote multi-episode plays at the Lobero Theatre, with Old Spanish Days Fiesta dates listed secondary to the Lobero performances.
For example, in 1929, the Lobero play 1818 debuted, and became that year’s poster focus.
When the plays moved to Peabody Stadium at Santa Barbara Highschool in 1931, this brought an end to the Lobero promotional posters.
For several years, Fiesta, and the theatrical plays, were posterless until Seaside Oil Company offered to do a Fiesta poster in 1935. The Seaside tradition continued until 1941, and soon after, our community Fiesta was halted for four years during World War II.
During the War, Seaside Oil was sold to Tide Water Oil. Sadly, following the end of the war and Fiesta’s return in 1946, the poster tradition was not renewed by the new owners.
In 1952, and after an 11 year hiatus, the Fiesta posters returned with a rare grouping, two dancing señoritas and one male — three in all.
The very next year, 1953, the famous dancing couple we all know and recognize was first introduced. This iconic couple graced our Fiesta posters continuously for 22 years, with a couple of exceptions including the 1969 poster that was commissioned by the local advertising council.
During the 22 years of the Fiesta dancing couple, the dress changed colors to give the poster a different look. Red was featured 11 times, with other colors including yellow, light blue, purple, and orange.
Everything changed for the Fiesta poster in 1976 — our nation’s bicentennial. To honor this special occasion, Old Spanish Days wanted to create a special poster. The 1976 Fiesta poster was a collaboration of the four OSD executive committee members at the time.
Soon after, that year’s El Presidente was given the annual honor to design the Fiesta poster. It’s a tradition that continues today.
Are these dancers bobble heads? That would be fun.
What’s the deal with her pinky finger? Mine sure doesn’t bend like that.
The computer generated faces are kind of creepy to me, like they’re melted wax
Hold on to your AR! Love it!
Beautiful colors, but looks WAY too computerized (if that’s a word). We have some amazing local artists in this town who have painted past posters. Why not continue that tradition? The Netherlands for a local festival? I dunno guys…..
Agree. It could have been stunning if it somehow even looked like a painting with brush strokes but sadly its resembling clip art mixed with AI.
Perhaps Bolton got too excited to work with a Dutch company that he forgot this is a local event and local artists would have done a much better job. Perhaps I’m biased, I’ve yet to have a positive interaction with Bolton.
Definitely like an AI painting, if you use one of the free apps lol! Looks unfinished too.
AMEN TO THAT, Sacjon!!! Thank you. Came here to say the same thing!
As someone who has made a partial living from creating art, I can tell you that the poster is brilllllllllliantly done. AI? Sorry….no. Clip art? LOL. Auto-generated? In your dreams. Your opinion, of course, are just that, and you can dislike the poster, the colors, the subject matter, say it sucks. Last night I made my mother’s old-country curry chicken dish….four people liked it and one person did not. I’ll take an 80% positive rating any day.
Anyone who suggests the poster is nothing but computer-generated garbage needs to look up some of the works by artists who created travel posters “back in the day” (50s/early 60s): Maurice Laban, Joseph Binder, Frank Newbould, Tom Purvis, ….the list goes on and on. I don’t say you have to like their art, but it is definitely art produced by exceptional artists.
“nothing but computer-generated garbage” – no one said that. Again, the colors are beautiful and the movement is great, but just not into the “AI” look it has. Just my opinion.
I’m only referring to the dancers, the background and overall composition is really cool.
If you don’t think AI can create images that look like artists’ creative paintings or drawings you have no idea about AI. https://www.boredpanda.com/i-asked-midjourney-ai-to-create-paintings-of-different-dance-styles/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=organic&utm_campaign=organic
Here is a quick AI image I made in the style of old travel posters. I could have easily made this even better, but this was 45 seconds to make. ( AI doesn’t do text, you have to add that to designs after; it adds styles and random characters)
https://ibb.co/YdTWxyX
EdHat: Nice work!!!
How it was made makes no difference to me. I think the poster looks lovely.
After reading all these comments I went online to look at past posters (and bought a handful) and saw that the dancing pair is a recurring motif, each time done differently and beautifully–no two alike. The good news for those who don’t care for this year’s poster is that in 2024 Fiesta will return, and we’ll have another Old Spanish Days art piece to review.
AI is notoriously bad at reproducing human fingers, arms, legs. This reportedly took an entire YEAR to create. Okay. I’ve seen and read the “reviews” on other social media sites….it’s pretty clear, most people hate this rendering, however it was created. It’s looks very much like a computer produced it, particularly that bent backwards pinkie finger. We have so much talent in our community, not sure why this was turfed out to foreign artists…from The Netherlands I understand.
AQUAHOLIC – agreed. Outsourcing the art to a graphic designer in Netherlands (not a skilled painter) instead of using our local talent (think Oak Group) was unfortunate. It’s a local event, should be local artists as in the past.
Oh man. Where to start? First off, we should be using LOCAL artists only for this poster, and also it should be real made art, not computer generated. I am sorry to say that this poster is really lacking compared to former years. Love the colors, but please, we can do better. And I’m NOT trying to be negative here, I just really feel this strongly. Have a poster contest with local artists like the Solstice Parade does.
What makes Santa Barbara unique and special is our local artists. We have a GIANT pool of local talent to choose from. I just cannot wrap my head around this poster this year. REALLY don’t like it. WHY did they outsource to another country when we could have had someone here paint it beautifully and it would have the real look and feel of SB?
I’m sure all anonymous critics and Edhat local art supporters have their home walls full of local artist paintings (I have my doubts). The best way to support local artists if you are inclined, is purchasing their paintings for your home. Local galleries have their art and it can be purchased in the 1k-3k price range, go for it. The reality is we live in a place where our technology parts (phones, computers etc) are outsourced to China and our produce comes from out of our country. If you don’t like the poster fine, the Old Spanish Days website has prior years posters you can purchase and support a good cause.