New rodeo poster on sale

The new rodeo poster depicts bareback bronc riding. Artwork by Suzi Sheward

Sisters artist Suzi Sheward has completed the poster for the 2003 Sisters Rodeo. The poster is now for sale at the Sisters Rodeo Office, 220 W. Cascade Avenue.

Sheward has a degree in commercial and advertising art and an appreciation of the pulp magazines from the 1930s and '40s -- elements that played into the poster's layout.

During the heyday of the pulps there were hundreds of different publications and the ones that sold best had the most exciting artwork on the covers to grab the attention of passersby.

"Advertising is, of course, focused on getting the attention of busy people who are inundated with hundreds of messages daily, and that is also accomplished by eye-grabbing graphics and a simple message that can be understood instantly," Sheward said. "The two genres go hand in hand."

Sheward studied with the late Sam Savitt, equestrian artist and founder of the American Academy of Equine Artists in Lexington, Kentucky. She has three horses of her own that she rides and drives. They are quite often the subject of her artwork.

The artist has been doing the posters for the Classic Road Rally in Portland for Monte Shelton for the last several years and is currently working on her third one for the series.

The Sisters Rodeo is set for June 13-15.

The Sisters Rodeo is the community's longest-running event, now in its 63rd year.

The rodeo parade on Saturday morning brings out the whole community.

The rodeo features four performances: a Friday night Family Night; two performances on Saturday and a final round on Sunday.

For the past two years, the rodeo has been broadcast on cable television. For tickets and information call 549-0121 or 1-800-827-7522 or visit www.sistersrodeo.com.