We’re excited to have the incredible Richmond-based artist, Robert Meganck, create this year’s Richmond Folk Festival poster. You may remember Robert from 2005, when he created the poster for the first year of the National Folk Festival’s residency in Richmond. Robert returns to join an esteemed group of artists that includes Wes Freed, Mickael Broth, Katie McBride, Chris Milk, Cassandra Kim, and Hamilton Glass (see all here).
We thought we’d ask Robert some questions to learn more about his background and process!
Tell us a little bit about you and your background. Are you from Richmond?
I was born, raised (number 2 of seven) and educated in Detroit, Michigan. I received a Bachelor of Applied Science degree from Farris State College, was drafted soon after graduation, after I was discharged, I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Center for Creative Studies in Detroit and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills. After which, I thought teaching would be a cool dig: two years at California State University in Fullerton, one year at the University of Alberta in Canada, and 40 years at Virginia Commonwealth University where I taught illustration, graphic design, color theory and digital imaging. My wife and I just celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary. We have three children, Aaron lives in Chesterfield, Shana is a professor at James Madison University, and Seth is in the music business and lives in Nashville. We have seven grandkids: three by birth and four through marriages. When we moved to Richmond in 1978, I never thought we’d make it our home, but then “What’s not to love about Richmond?”.
Have you attended the Festival before, if so any good memories or thoughts about it?
Yes, we try to attend every year. I have always loved it. It has opened my eyes to a lot of music genres. There is so much great stuff out there, that we rarely have an opportunity to see live. Although I enjoy my recorded music collection, no matter how good, nothing is as good as a live performance. With live music the performers and the audience become one entity – feeding off each other. Nothing can compare.
What was your inspiration/thought process for the Folk Fest design?
I thought about how to represent what the Folk Festival has meant to me. I filled up half of a sketchbook with ideas and worked closely with the Venture Richmond people to hone a final drawing. When I was informed that Venture Richmond was planning to produce a limited series of signed posters and that I had the option of working with Triple Stamp Press to produce a screen-printed version. I was ecstatic. Although this has been a very time-consuming process, I love every minute of working on it.
What are some of your favorite things to do in Richmond?
Attending music venues, and spending time with the grandkids.
Anything else you would like us to include?
Growing up in Detroit during the rise of Motown and Rock and Roll, in all its derivatives, music has always been my muse. I have gravitated to drawing all my life, not because I was so good at it, but growing up, I did everything else so badly.
The 2024 Official Richmond Folk Festival Poster will be available for sale during the festival at Plan 9 CDs and Merchandise tents. After the festival, they will be available at Plan9 Music in Carytown.