News Releases

Eastern Shore Chamber Jubilee Festival Planning Committee Selects Official Artwork  

“PELICAN RACERS” BY MICHAEL THOMAS 

DAPHNE, AL, July 13, 2011 - - The planning committee for the 23^rd Annual Jubilee Festival has been busy organizing the phenomenal event, which takes place in Olde Towne Daphne September 24 & 25. The official artwork that will be printed on posters and t-shirts was created by photographic artist Michael Thomas of Gulf Shores. It is entitled “Pelican Racers.”  

The work depicts two brown pelicans racing through the bay; enjoying an early morning swim.  It is a mixture of digital painting that overlays photos, creating the appearance of a true painting. 

Michael has a long background in photography dating back 35 years when he was employed at Meteor Photo, a photo lab in Detroit, Mich.  He worked in the darkroom developing film and enhancing images for the automobile industry and commercial photograhers.  Then when digital photography technology was developed  he started  to work with that medium and expanded his knowledge in the field of photography and art.  He relocated to Baldwin County two-and-a-half years ago and found a new way of living and has further developed his creative abilities. 

“I started working on painting digital photography using various programs when I moved here,” he said.  “I print the images on canvas so they will have more of an appearance of a painting.”  He added that he prints his images a variety of items such as canvas, paper, coasters, mouse-pads, books, cards and postcards.  

Much of Michael’s work can be found exhibited in the Fairhope Artists Gallery, the Windmill Market, the Mobile Kangal Gallery and at LuLu’s Homeport Restaurant in Gulf Shores.  Shea Dean, the chairman for the Jubilee Festival was having lunch at MaryAnn’s Restaurant in the  Windmill Market when she discovered his work and asked him to submit some of his artwork to the committee for consideration.   

His work has been awarded 3^rd place in the Weeks Bay Foundation photo contest last year, plus an honorable mention.  This year he received four honorable mentions in the contest. 

“I take photos almost every day,” said Thomas.  “I travel around early in the morning and shoot at different locations from the American Legion pier in Fairhope, the Fairhope Municipal pier, Bon Secour River, the Cities of Orange Beach, Gulf Shores and Mobile.  The pelicans were shot at the boat launch in Fairhope.” 

Michael said the artwork depicts a celebration of wildlife in lower Alabama.  His love for the water has been his lifestyle since his youth living around the numerous lakes in Michigan.  Moving to Gulf Shores and exploring the region was a perfect fit for him. 

“I love the lower Alabama climate and the culture here,” he said.  “It’s a slower pace and the people are so nice.” 

Festival goers will be able to see more of  Michael’s work at the Jubilee Festival.  He will have a double booth set up showing and selling his art.  His company is called Micdesigns.  Visit the Web site at www.micdesigns.comor friend him on www.facebook.com/micdesigns.   

The t-shirts and posters will be on sale at the information booth.  Festival hours are 10 am – 4 pm daily.  The festival takes place on Main Street in front of the Daphne City Hall.  One of the unique features of the festival is the Kids Art in the Park, where ten booths will be set up for kids to explore their own creative side for a few tickets each, purchased for a nominal fee.  There is no admission to the festival.  For more information visit www.eschamber.comor call 251-621-8222 or 251-928-6387.