UC Libraries, an organizer of Books by the Banks: Cincinnati USA Book Festival, is proud to announce the 2012 Poster Debut Kick-off event on Thursday, September 20 at Joseph-Beth Booksellers, Rookwood Pavilion.

Join us at 6:30 p.m. as we debut this year’s Books by the Banks poster (a snippet is included on the left). Since the book festival’s inauguration in 2007, the posters—now considered unique collector’s items—have captured the essence of what Books by the Banks means to the community.

Meet this year’s artist Marlene Steele:

A native of northern Kentucky, Marlene Steele began her studies at the age of 11 in the studio of Aileen McCarthy, a student of Duveneck at the Art Academy of Cincinnati. She was a full scholarship recipient and is a graduate of the Art Academy of Cincinnati. She enjoys the challenge of figurative and portrait work as well as landscape in the mediums of oil, watercolor and pastel. Marlene Steele’s work is in corporate and private collections regionally. When the camera can’t get into the courtroom, the media must rely on her abilities as a professional courtroom artist to capture the action. Marlene teaches her studio skills in workshops and Art Academy Community Education classes. Steele’s Studio is in the West End of Cincinnati and is currently accepting commissions in all media.

Following her discussion, artists from previous years will join Marlene in a Q&A about their work and sign posters for purchase. The cost of the new 2012 poster is $15; previous years’ posters are $10 each.

Help Support Books by the Banks: A percentage of the proceeds from all purchases made at Joseph-Beth Booksellers and Brontë Bistro anytime during the Poster Debut day, Thursday, September 20, will benefit Books by the Banks. A coupon is required and can be downloaded at www.booksbythebanks.org.