What is Flatstock??

So I am sure you have heard us mention "Flatstock" a million times so I thought I would take some time to tell you just what exactly Flatstock is:

The FLATSTOCK poster show series is presented by the American Poster Institute (API). It is an ongoing series of exhibitions featuring the work of many of the most popular concert poster artists working today.

The API is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to serving poster artists and promoting the art form. Both the API and its FLATSTOCK series were organized in 2002 as a result of conversations between interested artists and supporters frequenting the popular web site GigPosters.com. The best concert posters have always captured both the essence of the music they promoted and the spirit of the time in which they were produced. This is as true today as it was in San Francisco during the Sixties.

The FLATSTOCK shows provide the general public with an ongoing series of opportunities to see fine poster art in person and to meet the artists who've created it -- they provide the API with a way to present the poster artists collectively while showcasing the breadth of individual styles they represent.

FLATSTOCK 20 is being held in Austin, Texas in conjunction with the world's premier Music Festival South By Southwest. Poster artists from around the world will hit The Austin Convention Center for the bi-annual convention sponsored by the American Poster Institute, dedicated to the promotion of music poster art and design worldwide. You've heard the sordid tales of deluxe poster prints sold to you the fans by the artists themselves, now come see for yourself. FLATSTOCK 20 is FREE for everyone so come one come all. Show up early and be ready to be overwhelmed with amazing posters (you might want to bring some dough too since you won't want to leave empty handed.) FLATSTOCK 20 is an all-ages event.

Flatstock 20 is now a FOUR DAY EVENT and Hero has a double booth again this year, so be sure to come by and say "Hi!", we're gonna have loads of new stuff. Including brand new posters, artprints and exclusive t-shirt designs, etc.

FLATSTOCK 20 SCHEDULE:

• Thurs. March 19 from 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm.
• Fri. March 20 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Sat. March 21 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
• Sun. March 22 from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Check out this year's exhibitors here.

ALSO CHECK OUT:

To get the true music collector’s experience at SXSW, don't forget to also set time aside for the Record Convention and Guitar Show.

Flatstock Print Demos

Thursday - Sunday
All Day Screenprinting Demos

As part of Flatstock 20, the public is invited to drop by the on-site screenprinting demonstration set up by the API and its members. Andy MacDougal, author of “Screen Printing Today, The Basics,” will be leading multiple workshops during show hours. He will produce a number of original multicolor poster prints on-site Friday and Saturday. These unique workshops will allow you to see the process in action. You will learn how ideas and artwork are transformed into the thousands of amazing gigposters on display at Flatstock through the screen printing process. Participating Flatstock arists will be contributing work that Andy will be printing all four days. These works will be available for purchase when they are completed. Special guest artists will also contribute small prints which will be entirely created and produced at Flatstock.

“My Posters Stink” With Mig Kokinda
Saturday at 2:00 p.m.

Local Austin whiz kid Mig Kokinda will demonstrate the laborious mysteries of making the most kick ass rock posters you’ve seen with nothing but an exacto blade and Krylon. Come witness how to cut stencil after stencil and the process of turning those into multi layered works of art with the bonus of fumes! Mig has been making poster art and tattooing folks for well over thirteen years and few, if any, share his unique style.

For all the true poster junkies, be sure to watch the screening of Died Young, Stayed Pretty a documentary by Eileen Yaghoobian featuring many of this year's exhibitors.