South Shore CVA Takes Over Management of South Shore Poster Series

South Shore CVA Takes Over Management of South Shore Poster Series

In an agreement with the Northwest Indiana Forum and South Shore Arts, the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority replaces the previous joint management of the region’s iconic South Shore Poster series as the South Shore Poster Arts Management Company, the SSCVA announced at a press conference on Thursday.

The Northwest Indiana Forum most recently oversaw the production and printing of the posters and acted as the Management Company. Heather Ennis, President and CEO for the Forum said, “While The Forum has enjoyed being the caretakers of a renewed Northwest Indiana tradition, the South Shore Posters will be in strong hands with the SSCVA. They have the expertise and resources to market the series in a way to best serve the region. This iconic series will grow under their leadership and help to share the story of this great place we call home, along the South Shore Line.”

Between 1925 and 1929, posters were created on a monthly or bimonthly basis and, today, there are 98 in the “Just Around the Corner” series. The South Shore CVA is currently working on posters 99 and 100.

Traditionally, the South Shore Posters promoted attractions, events and destinations along the South Shore Line from as far east as South Bend and as far west as Chicago. The posters lined the South Shore Line stations, enticing business and leisure travelers to the region through colorful depictions of events, landscapes and destinations along the South Shore. The series was revitalized in the new millennium through a collaboration with Northwest Indiana businesses and South Shore Arts; using the posters to symbolize the cultural heritage of the South Shore.

“What we’re announcing today is a testament to groups working together to utilize each other's strengths and maximize those strengths in a professional and courteous way,” stated Speros A. Batistatos, President/CEO of the South Shore CVA. “South Shore Poster Arts Management has, after a long governance of this program, agreed to entrust it to us, the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. We have intersected over the last nineteen years but finally, I believe, the series is coming home. Our board, and I know our staff, is very excited about this.”

“The South Shore Poster series had a tremendous impact on travel and tourism in Northwest Indiana as well as the ridership of the South Shore train,” said Batistatos. “The South Shore CVA’s concentration moving forward will be to strengthen the South Shore Poster brand and focus on the roots of the original campaign – to promote the destination to visitors.”

“The original series was managed by the Own Your Own Home Bureau and the Outing and Recreation Bureau to increase tourism and entice visitors to settle in the region,” Batistatos continued. “It’s only natural our organization, already promoting the areas all along the South Shore Line is managing the series. There needs to be a return to the creation of poster art that markets the community to the rest of the world not just marketing the community to itself. We want to produce art that sells the community. Returning to the essence of the brand is what it’s all about.”

As the management company of the South Shore Posters, the South Shore CVA will manage all poster requests, contracts, printing, and distribution. A Creative Director will also oversee all commissioned paintings moving forward.

For more information about commissioning a South Shore Poster contact Katie Holderby, Executive Vice President and Chief Projects Officer at 219-989-7770.