Rick Ewigleben

Artist

Rick Ewigleben has confirmed that he will be returning to the Land of Oz to participate in the 2010 Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival. He is happy to be a part of the celebration of everything Oz in historic downtown Chesterton. He was an official Munchkinland Market Days celebrity for six years and was warmly welcomed at many Oz Festival events also. Munchkinland Market Days was produced by the former Yellow Brick Road Gift Shop the same weekend as the Oz Festival. "It was great," says the popular graphic artist, "when I was asked to be a part of the new Oz Festival last year and even greater to be asked back for the 29th Annual Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival!" Ewigleben will unveil the eigth posted in the limited edition Ewigleben Wizard of Oz series exclusively at the Wizard of Oz Festival. In 2003, Rick began a series of Oz Tribute posters created in the poster-art style of the late 1930's and early 1940's. Each poster in the limited edition series has become a sought after item by not only Oz collectors, but also by poster collectors and movie memorabilia fans. The son of Jim and Erma Ewigleben of Demotte and a graduate of Hobart High School, Rich is a full-fledge. life-long Wizard of Oz devotee who has gone digital in his desire to re-create the characters he's loved since childhood. He first watched Wizard of Oz on his family's black and white tv. "I didn't even know the MGM classic was in color until the neighbors invited us over to share the experience of their new TV set. I was seven," he says, "and I was enthralled.... and, when I finally got to see it on the big screen at the 49er in Valpo, I was blown away." Even though Rich has become a renonwned graphic designer and illustrator and now lives in Chicago, he never forgot the characters - the lessons they learned - the lessons they taught - but it also never occured to him to be anything but a fan until a friend suggested he visit Chesterton to attend Munchkinland Market Days and the Wizard of Oz Festival and witness all the fun. Once there, he was mesmerized and wanted to become part of it. "I illustrate greeting cards and children's books, so the fabulous Oz characters fall right into the line with my more serious work," he admits. Rick maintains a studio in Chicago's trendy Rogers Park. He begins each Oz poster by creating original line drawings and, through a series of digital layers, applies the colors, shadows and highlights which make the characters distinctive. In addition to having a booth at the Oz Festival grounds in downtown Chesterton on Saturday & Sunday, Ewigleben will be one of the celebrities featured at Friday's opening ceremonies. This is where he will unveil the eigth poster in his series. Rick has his own way of bringing Toto and Dorothy, the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, and Scarecrow to life through his art of color. He has throughly enjoyed the debut and unveiling of each new poster over the years, especially hearing the joy and applause from the people assembled for the unveilings. "If you see me at the festival," explains Rick, "don't be afraid to stop and chat and discuss Oz. I really enjoy meeting people who love Oz." Ewigleben is always more thant happy to autograph and/or personalize each poster for you.

Attendance Confirmed

Presented by: DUNELAND BUSINESS INITIATIVE GROUP 211 Broadway - Chesterton, IN 46304 Questions? Call 219-926-6283 or Email us at ozcrazy@nwird.com