The Story Behind The Stamps - "Innovative Choreographers"

USPS's Beyond the Perf features an article about artist James McMullan who did the artwork for the new "Innovative Choreographers" stamps coming out on July 28.

Art director Ethel Kessler designed the stamps using illustrations by McMullan, widely known for his work for Lincoln Center Theater in New York City. Designed to look like posters advertising a performance, "the stamp art captures the luminosity and mystery of a live dance performance," according to the Beyond the Perf website.

It goes on to say, "The internationally acclaimed artist, widely known for the posters he creates for New York City’s Lincoln Center Theater, is revered by many for his ability to capture expressions and movement."

Kessler is quoted as saying, "“Jim McMullan has always been a favorite of mine. I’ve admired his work for over 30 years. I kept promising myself that one day, when we had the right subject, I would work with him. And this was it.”

In the article, McMullan admits that the idea of his art on stamps had occurred to him before. “The Lincoln Center Theater made stamps out of my posters” — decorative, non-postage stamps — “so I saw that my work could be stamps,” he said.

For more on the story behind the stamps, click here.