Ruth Hulbert Returns as 2009 Fair Artist

Poster Signing
Saturday, August 5 & Monday, August 7
2-4 pm at the Craftsman House Art & Wine Bar

Ruth Hulbert is returning for an encore as the 2009 Alaska State Fair featured artist. Hulbert, a fourth generation Palmer resident, also designed the artwork for the 2007 Fair and has worked as the Fair’s sign-maker for several years.

“I’m glad the first poster was a success, and that the people liked my artwork well enough to have me back,” she said.

As the first step in the process, Hulbert recently completed the logo for the 2009 Fair. It depicts a colorful bundle of balloons, and incorporates the 2009 Fair theme, “get up & – get happy.”

“The balloons are vibrant and buoyant, going with the theme of ‘get happy,’ and the lettering was a chance to go for some of the exuberant flourishes of late 19th-century advertising artwork,” said Hulbert, who will also be designing the 2009 Fair poster and completing some work on the Fair brochure.

Hulbert, a graduate of Palmer High School, graduated from Western Washington University last year with degrees in biology and studio art. She has also studied with various artists, including Brad Hughes, artist and creator of many past Fair posters. In fact, it was Hughes’ recommendation that led to Hulbert’s selection as the Fair artist in 2007. 

“Brad Hughes elevated the Alaska State Fair poster from simple advertising illustration to artwork, and I’m happy that the Fair has continued that tradition of hiring artists to create something that people will want to hang on their walls long after Labor Day,” Hulbert said.

Since graduating from college, Hulbert has made signs, done stream surveys on Matanuska salmon populations, tutored biology, completed several design projects for the Fair, house-sat, and done some traveling. As for her long-term career, she said she definitely plans to continue with art

.