USTORM Mantis Auction
By Team JamBase Jan 21, 2009 • 8:00 am PST
The USTORM Foundation was founded in Chicago in the spring of 2006 with the intention of raising funds for music and art educational programs for children and young adults. In less than 3 years, USTORM has donated over $40,000 to various charities, including The Boys and Girls Club of Chicago, The Off the Street Club, and Snow City Arts at Children’s Memorial Hospital.
USTORM is now very excited to team up with Umphrey’s McGee in celebration of the release of their highly anticipated new album, Mantis. In conjunction with this great event, USTORM is pleased to announce a ONE OF KIND AUCTION, featuring a beautiful piece of art created by Florida based artist Mark Blanchette.
When in search of someone to do the album artwork for Mantis, Umphrey’s McGee went through countless artists’ and photographers’ work. When the band came across the unique work of Mark Blanchette, who shoots in black and white film, using a conventional darkroom to combine images, with all photos developed by hand, the choice was clear. The image used for the cover of Mantis came from an inspiration that Mark had after listening to the album numerous times. And if you too listen closely to Mantis, you may be able to figure out just which lyrics brought to life this powerful image.
This hand created photomontage is number 1 in an edition of only 10 original works. It is titled, signed and numbered by the artist and the only piece in the edition that is also autographed by all 6 members of Umphrey’s McGee.
This one of a kind artwork is archivally printed on Ilford fiber photographic paper, double matted and framed to a size of 24″ x 36″, ready for hanging.
The auction is going on now through 10 p.m. EST on Sunday, January 25.
HAPPY BIDDING!!!
Bid here.
Be sure to check out our exclusive feature/interview on Mantis with Umphrey’s McGee here.
