JBAF 2021 T-shirts Commemorate Festival That Never Happened

COMMUNITY—Since the third annual Jerry Brown Arts Festival (JBAF) in 2005, attendees and supporters have been offered the opportunity to obtain a special piece of collectible art in the form of designer JBAF T-shirts.

But these are not just your ordinary festival-type T-shirts.

No, the T-shirts for the JBAF have always featured “wearable art” printed on bright, fun colors, and using only the most comfortable fabrics.

The featured artist for the T-shirts changes each year, with past artists including the late Jerry Brown himself, as well as artists Charlie Lucas, Maurice Cook, Jimmy W., and Brian Bohanan, to name just a few.

But, along with the T-shirts becoming top collectible items, the funds used from T-shirt sales have also become instrumental in helping to fund the festival—keeping it admittance free to the public. T-shirt sales also help to fund multiple art-related programs in Marion County (Alabama) communities.

With the cancellation of this year’s 19th Annual JBAF due to safety concerns associated with COVID-19, Northwest Alabama Arts Council members and fans of the festival were understandably disappointed.

But then a little ray of sunshine appeared on the horizon.

JBAF Founder Tyna Pyburn, who handles the T-shirt designs each year, decided that not all would be lost. Why not have a T-shirt designed for “the festival that never took place?”

So, Pyburn did it. And the extra special collector’s edition 19th JBAF T-shirts are now available. Plus, the T-shirts feature someone near and dear to Jerry Brown’s heart and ours—Blue The Mule. And, of course, she’s wearing a safety mask!

“Our 2021 T-shirts are a way to have a little fun with a tough situation,” Pyburn said. “We wanted to be able to think about this year’s festival with a smile.

“And we think this year’s T-shirt will be special for collectors, too, many of whom have every year’s shirt—as it will be the festival that never took place.”

The sale of these special T-shirts will also help to fund the JBAF’s 20th Anniversary on March 5-6, 2022.

The costs for the shirts are $20 for small through extra-large sizes and $25 for 2X and 3X sizes.

You can pick up a T-shirt online at jbaf.org by clicking on “Official T-shirts” on the left side of the page.

You can also purchase these T-shirts locally at Brown’s Pottery, Sassy Frass Tees or at Hamilton City Hall.

Help support the JBAF and get one today for yourself. JBAF T-shirts always make great gifts for art lovers, too.

Regarding Feature Photo:

Blue The Mule Featured On Special 2021 T-shirts

Potter Sandra Brown, widow of the late Jerry Brown, and a co-founder of the Jerry Brown Arts Festival (JBAF), displays the official T-shirt of the 19th Annual JBAF, which was cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns. Brown’s Pottery is among the locations where T-shirts can be purchased.

(Photo Credit: Marla Minter/Northwest Alabama Arts Council)

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Kathryn “Chazz” Hirschfeld of American Risk Managers at the request of the Northwest Alabama Arts Council. The article was published in the Wednesday, March 3, 2021, “Journal Record” and has also been posted and shared on the Jerry Brown Arts Festival Facebook Page.