The United States Post Office

Presents

The American Postal Collection^®

Santa Fe, New Mexico, July 18, 2008:  For the first time in its history, the United States Postal Service has authorized the creation of fine-art prints derived from the historic post office murals created during the Roosevelt administration’s New Deal. The collection of approximately 1100 murals is called The American Postal Collection^TM and the first offering from the collection will be The Native American Artist Portfolio^TM. The collection of 18 prints will debut in a limited-edition boxed set at the Historic Indian & World Tribal Arts Show in Santa Fe, New Mexico (August 14-17, 2008) and the Santa Fe Indian Market (August 22-24, 2008).

The subject matter of these prints are 18 beloved post office murals by Acee Blue Eagle (Creek/Pawnee) and Stephen Mopope (Kiowa). The murals depict aspects of traditional Native lives and have for generations served as a marker of pride and history for Oklahoma’s Native peoples. Both men used their art and careers to affirm and uphold Native cultures; they were cultural traditionalists who devoted their lives to recording the customs of their people for posterity.

In an effort to maintain the original spirit and objectives of the New Deal project, the Postal Service has licensed Art Business Strategies, of Santa Fe, New Mexico, to develop gallery-quality products featuring the murals. Art Business Strategies is working in partnership with the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) on The Native American Artist Portfolio.

Michael Harkavy (CEO) and Thomas Tassone (CMO) of Art Business Strategies believe it is critical that the Native American artist community benefit from the portfolio. “SWAIA will help us fulfill the mission of this portfolio. American history and art began with the Native American cultures, therefore, when launching this historic project with U.S. Postal Service, we chose to honor the Native American artists and their heritage as our first endeavor,” said Harkavy and Tassone. 

Bruce Bernstein, Executive Director of SWAIA, believes that the partnership with The Native American Portfolio “helps SWAIA promote and maintain vital links to the rich artistic traditions that helped establish and continue to sustain the world renown Santa Fe Indian Market.

Western Interiors & Design Magazine is a strategic sponsor of The American Postal Collection and The Native American Artist Portfolio. Michael Wollaeger, editor-in-chief of Western Interiors & Design, says, “We’re proud to be a sponsor of this landmark print offering, which celebrates such an important cultural legacy in the West.” Publisher, Jennifer Matthews, adds “The American Postal Collection is bringing these wonderful artworks to a broader national audience, and it’s exciting to be part of that effort.” 

For additional information on the shows, please visit www.B4RTIME.com and www.SWAIA.org. For additional product information, please contact Thomas Tassone of Art Business Strategies (212-448-9852).

The U.S. Postal Service, an independent federal agency, is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation—146 million homes and businesses. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses, not tax dollars. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.

Art Business Strategies is a consulting and strategic development company dedicated to the preservation of historic art works through fine-art prints.