Thurs. Aug. 6

 Perhaps, you've heard. The 40th anniversay of Woodstock is upon. No, I didn't go, wasn't quite old enough or hippified. I did once ask Dee Dee Ramone if he went - him being a few years older than me and living in the same state as the festival - and he looked at me incredulously and said, "What!? And stand in all that mud?" The Ramones were playing an outdoor festival at the time, but it was a bright sunny day. Anyway, there's a slew of books, movies and memorabilia being unleashed and here's one in Boston Thurs. Aug. 6. The International Poster Gallery has Arnold Skolnick, designer of the iconic 1969 Woodstock poste - that iconic dove perched on a guitar neck - to celebrate the ocassion. Skolnick will be on hand at the Gallery to sign both original Woodstock posters and a new original limited edition poster created by the artist for the 40th anniversary. The new poster, we're told, is a time capsule in and of itself and cleverly references the original poster as well as the era of psychedelic posters in a modern way.
This free event takes place at International Poster Gallery, from 5:00pm to 7:30 pm, and will feature a talk by Skolnick at 6:00 pm.  RSVPs are requested at .  Regular gallery hours are Monday through Saturday 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday noon to 6 pm. 

Backstory: The original poster was no accident.  Skolnick was a talented Madison Avenue advertising director and was skilled at hearing what a customer wanted and needed.  Mr. Skolnick recalls, "The client said he wanted the event to be 'peaceful, three days long and a lot of music' so that's what I gave him."  His design was the perfect solution to a licensing problem that required the festival to be relocated at the last moment from Walkill to Max Yasgur's farm in Bethel, New York.  The psychedelic and countercultural tone of the aborted venue's initial poster was replaced by a more subdued and peaceful message so the event would not be banned gain-- thus creating a unique rock poster for the ages.

International Poster Gallery owner Jim Lapides says, "Little did I know last year that finding some original Woodstock posters would lead to one of the most exciting events anywhere of the 40th Anniversary Woodstock celebration.  We have a front row seat to hear how the greatest rock festival came to be from the man who created the 'face of the event'.  I can assure you that Arnold's insight and homespun sense of humor will make for a very memorable evening."Last year, International Poster Gallery acquired a small cache of original Woodstock posters.  These authentic 1969 posters will be available for signing by Skolnick at the gallery.  The artist has also created a beautifully printed 40th Anniversary silkscreen especially for this event, printed in a limited edition of 285 signed and numbered posters.It is offered at the event for $200 and thereafter for $300. 

205 Newbury Street, 617-375-0076, www.InternationalPoster.com