Contributed by Janet St. George, Town Square Art Gallery
Meet the arist, Jon Van Zyle, Sunday, March 6th from 10-2 at Town Square Art Gallery booth at the Willow Community Center during the Iditarod ReStart.
Jon Van Zyle, 2 time Iditarod veteran, and member of Iditarod Hall of Fame, announces his 40th year as the Official Artist of the Iditarod. 2016 will be the 40th year that Jon has created his artwork for the Great Race’s Official Iditarod yearly collectible poster series.
Meet the arist, Jon Van Zyle, Sunday, March 6th from 10-2 at Town Square Art Gallery booth at the Willow Community Center during the Iditarod ReStart. Not only will Jon be signing his new poster for his fans, but his latest 2016 Iditarod print, “Ruby Sky” and other artwork are available for personalizing. Jon has also illustrated numerous children’s books which will also be available. Jon’s new poster, prints and books are also available directly from Town Square Art Gallery located in the Wasilla Carrs Mall.
Jon Van Zyle is a long-time supporter of the Iditarod and all of their programs. Jon’s poster idea came about and helped raise money and rally financial donations to keep Iditarod alive in the early years of the program. His early painted Iditarod images were some of the first national and international historical images that helped people visualize the race.
Jon and Jona Van Zyle are also deep supporters of the Junior Iditarod race (ages 14 through 17) and their donations of time, artwork, and support has helped to keep its spirit alive for the younger generation of mushers. They are annual supporters of Teachers on the Trail (both winter and summer conference supporters) and have supported the Iditarod Veterinarians program through involvement with and sales of the book, “Iditarod, the First 10 Years”, which premiered in 2015.