Culture
Art and the Portland Trailblazers
Created by Michele Maule for the game vs. the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 8, 2018. Image courtesy of: Kumd
For the past two years, the Portland Trailblazers have commissioned local artists to produce limited-edition prints for each home game the team plays. It is a win-win as local artists get an opportunity and a big audience for which to exhibit their work and the team uses this money for the their charitable foundation.
Created by Joe Wirthem for the game vs. the New Orleans Pelicans game on December 2, 2018. Image courtesy of: How Design
Only 110 posters are printed for each home game, and once they’re sold out… they are gone. The posters are each hand-numbered and have become one of the Pacific Northwest’s hottest collectibles. Each poster must include the opponent and the date, but all other details are left completely up to the artist. Even though the 12″ x 18″ posters might render staples of Portland aesthetics, those features aren’t necessary.
Todd Adams, the Trailblazers brand development manager said, “The whole idea of this concept and the program was to have fans define our brand. Our brand filters are approachable, unique and authentic. We want to make sure we are authentic to Portland and this allows artists to define what the brand looks like.”
Poster created by Tim Butler for the game vs. the Denver Nuggets on November 13, 2017. Image courtesy of: The New York Times
The team solicits applications from interested artists through the team’s website. Usually, the posters are created by up-and-coming artists who receive $315, two game tickets, and obviously… a lot of visibility. The posters are featured at the arena and on the Trailblazers social media accounts. Clearly, this is great exposure!
Created by Matthew Hollister for the game vs. the Utah Jazz on February 11, 2017. Image courtesy of: The New York Times
The Trailblazers borrowed this general idea from Major League Soccer. In this league, game-day posters have long been fashionable among several of the teams. So far, over $20,000 has been raised for Portland’s underprivileged children through this concept.
Todd Adams, the team’s brand development manager has said about the posters, “What was great about the art is it was subjective. What may appeal to someone one game might not be someone else’s favorite. All season long I heard people say, ‘That is my favorite so far.’”
Michael Verhey with the poster he created, along with his wife, Meghan, for the game vs. the Denver Nuggets. The Verhey’s are huge Trailblazer fans and were contacted by the team after someone saw Michael’s work at a street fair. Michael Verhey said that he went through 20 versions of the piece before settling on a dreamscape court with the team’s logo throughout. Image courtesy of: Portland Business Journal
Whether it’s someone interested in basketball or in art, we love this creative way to combine the two, very different, forms of entertainment!
