The Woodstock Poster

The Woodstock Poster
One of the Most Famous Images in Music History

The promoters settled on the concrete slogan of "Three Days of Peace and Music" figuring that the word peace would link the antiwar sentiment to the rock concert, and also wanting to avoid any violence, they thought a slogan with peace in it would help keep order.

This promotional poster for the Woodstock Music and Art Fair of August 1969 promised "hundreds of acres to roam on." Artist Arnold Skolnick initially designed what was known as the festival's dove-and-guitar symbol as a catbird and a flute.

Arnold Skolnick - Designer of the Woodstock Poster

"I was staying on Shelter Island off Long Island, and I was drawing catbirds all the time," he said. "It sat on a flute for a day, and I finally ended up putting it on a guitar."

Due to the fact the festival was moved from Wallkill to Bethel, promoters were afforded very little time to have this poster created, printed and distributed. It was 4 days before the event began when the posters were delivered. 75 were hung on telephone poles, some were sold for $1.00 as souvenirs to the crowds as they were leaving. The rest were never used.

The original has been in the possession of the promoter's Kross safe since 1969.

Interview with Arnold Skolnick at WoodstockStory.com

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Due to the change in venue, limited time, and acts still being signed, the text on the poster underwent several changes prior to final printing.

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AUTOGRAPHED POSTER
Courtesy: Brad Littleproud

Artie Kornfeld
Woodstock Co-Creator and Promoter

Michael Lang
Woodstock Co-Creator and Producer

John Sebastian
Unscheduled performer Day 1 :
Sang "Younger Generation"

Melanie
Scheduled Performer Day 1:
Sang "Beautiful People"

	Richie Havens 1st Performer on stage: Sang "Freedom"

	Arnold Skolnick Artist - Woodstock Poster

	Wavy Gravy (aka Hugh Romney) - Woodstock MC, Hog Farm Leader (security, food) Best known quote "What we have in mind is breakfast in bed for 400,000"
	Grace Slick (Jefferson Airplane) - Sang "White Rabbit and Volunteers"
	Carlos Santana (need we say more) - "Soul Sacrifice"

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