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 A-B Tech student Eddie Gumm is the artist behind the official 2008 Bele Chere poster representing the festival's 30th anniversary, and it was a class assignment that inspired his entry.
A-B Tech Student Eddie Gumm displays his artwork including his award-winning Bele Chere poster. The 2008 Bele Chere poster designed by A-B Tech Student Eddie Gumm. "When I was taking pictures downtown (for photography class) it's what made me decide what to design for the Bele Chere contest. So far it's gotten a lot of good reviews from various people," Gumm said. "You can see I am so influenced by Asheville in my art. It is so eclectic. It has a little something for everyone." Gumm started attending A-B Tech in 2000 to take advantage of the art classes available, and he is still enrolled. "The College keeps adding new classes which is great," he said. Kenn Katora, a former instructor at A-B Tech and one of Gumm's first teachers at the College, designed the 20th anniversary poster. "I happened upon photography because I was planning to sign up for a writing class and it (photography) was available and for some reason I had to take it. I had wanted to learn about traditional photography," Gumm said. He also took classes in painting, drawing and design shortly after enrolling. Fine Arts Instructor Sharon Trammel has designed Bele Chere artwork as well, creating the 1994 poster and the T-shirts for 1996. "I couldn't have thought of a better person for it to go to. Eddie's such a humble, sweet guy, and he was a treasure to have in class," Trammel said. "We're very proud of him. I think he shines a new light on our programs." A year ago, Gumm entered the Design Our Pepsi Can contest and was named a finalist. For a while his design, titled Variety, was printed on cans primarily distributed in the Northeast and Midwest. "I couldn't find my can around here. I had never seen my can in person until I was driving down Patton Avenue and I looked out the driver's side window and there it was in the median, crushed. I had to jump out of the car and get it," he said. Gumm's can is identified with his initials, E.G., and Leicester and is now available in stores in Western North Carolina. Gumm also made a poster for the first student art show at A-B Tech when it was held in the Fernihurst Annex, and has created various commercial art projects. "I'm taking the opportunity of the marketing appeal to move forward in my career as a pop or commercial artist. In a few months I want to start my one-man marketing campaign to save the world. I want to make people think and I want other young Asheville artists to join me and make a difference by reaching out to the world in new and exciting ways, through our art," he said. Asheville.com is a proud sponsor of this year's Bele Chere Festival. For more information about Bele Chere contact the Festival Office at (828) 259-5800 or visit www.belecherefestival.com. (Images provided by A-B Tech.)
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