23^rd Annual Jubilee Festival has been busy organizing

the phenomenal event, which takes place in Olde Towne Daphne

September 24 & 25. The official artwork that will be printed on

posters and t-shirts was created by photographic artist Michael

Thomas of Gulf Shores. It is entitled “Pelican Racers.”

pelicans racing through the bay; enjoying an early morning swim. It

is a mixture of digital painting that overlays photos, creating the

appearance of a true painting.

photography dating back 35 years when he was employed at a photo

lab in Detroit, Mich. He worked in the darkroom developing film and

enhancing images for the automobile industry. Then when digital

photography technology was launched he went to work for Meteor

Photography and expanded his knowledge in the field. He relocated

to Baldwin County two-and-a-half years ago and found a new way of

living and further developed his creative abilities.

digital photography using various programs when I moved here,” he

said. “I print the images on canvas so they will have the

appearance of a painting.”  He added that he prints his images on a

variety of items such as coasters and post cards.

exhibited in the Fairhope Artists Gallery, Windmill Market, the

Mobile Kangal Gallery and at LuLu’s Homeport Restaurant. Shea Dean,

the chairman for the Jubilee Festival was having lunch at the

Windmill Market when she discovered his work and asked him to

submit some of his artwork to the committee for

consideration. 

3^rd place in the Weeks Bay Foundation photo contest last

year, plus an honorable mention. This year he received four

honorable mentions in the contest.

Thomas. “I travel around early in the morning and shoot from the

American Legion pier in Fairhope, the Fairhope Municipal pier and

Bon Secour. The pelicans were shot at the boat launch in

Fairhope.”

celebration of wildlife in lower Alabama. His love for the water

has been his lifestyle since his youth living around the numerous

lakes in Michigan. Moving to Gulf Shores and exploring the region

was a perfect fit for him.

and the culture here,” he said. “It’s a slower pace and the people

are so nice.”

more of Thomas’ work at the Jubilee Festival. He will have a double

booth set up showing and selling. His company is called mic

designs. Visit the Web site at

"http://www.micdesigns.com/">www.micdesigns.com or friend him

on

"http://facebook.com/micdesigns.%C2%A0">facebook.com/micdesigns. 

on sale at the information booth. Festival hours are 10 am – 5 pm

daily. The festival takes place on Main Street in front of the

Daphne City Hall. One of the unique features of the festival is the

Kids Art in the Park, where ten booths will be set up for kids to

explore their own creative side for a few tickets each, purchased

for a nominal fee. There is no admission to the festival. For more

information visit

"#800080">www.eschamber.com or call 621-8222 or

928-6387.