Wisconsin Historical Society: Unveils new COVID-19 posters

Madison, WI. – The Wisconsin Historical Society has released a collection of new posters commissioned for the second phase of its COVID-19 Poster Project. The project, which was first introduced in early 2020, shares public health messages related to the pandemic as interpreted by artists with ties to Wisconsin. The Society will promote the new artwork throughout the coming weeks and the posters are available for purchase online at shop.wisconsinhistory.org/covid-19-poster-project.

“The COVID-19 Poster Project invited artists to draw from their own experiences dealing with the pandemic to create unique, eye-catching public information posters,” said Dave Desimone, who coordinated the project for the Wisconsin Historical Society. “The second phase of this project was a tremendous success, yielding artwork from ten new adult artists as well as four students that will inspire Wisconsin communities to continue in the fight against the virus.”

Public information posters have been used throughout history to communicate important information to communities in Wisconsin and the United States. The Wisconsin Historical Society’s collections include nearly 5,000 examples of public information posters dating from the 18th century to present day. From encouraging volunteerism and morale on the home front during World War I to encouraging patriotism during World War II, these posters were usually bright and bold, and encouraged the public to take action. This longstanding tradition was the inspiration for the new posters as well as the 13 posters commissioned for the first phase of the project in 2020.

The ten adult artists and poster concepts selected for the second phase of the COVID-19 Poster project are:

Grant Yun – Continuing the EffortT.L. Luke – Get Vaccinated
Tonia Klein – Branch OutCiara Nash – Helping Hands
Sonia Vasquez – Get VaccinatedJay Ramirez – Get Vaccinated
Liz Drayna – We Will HealStephanie Carpenter – Trust Science
Bao Xiong – Science Finds a WayHelene Ramsdall – Freedom Begins Here

The Wisconsin Historical Society also commissioned four posters from high school student artists Martha LiangKerrianna RoughtJette Thorson, and Sabrina Schmidt. Learn more about the project at wisconsinhistory.org/posterproject.