BPC - I Hampton 2003                            

                             

In 2002 Shawn Hughes and Greyson Schwing booked a ballroom at the Best Western Hampton Virginia. The plan was to host an after show party during the Phish return from hiatus show run January 2^nd 3^rd and 4^th 2003. The two booked The Code Talkers featuring Col. Bruce Hampton as the after show entertainment. Shawn Hughes, being a long time collector of gig prints, had recently joined a Yahoo group called posterpeople where he met several phish poster collectors and gig print folks. Several members of posterpeople went on to create what is now http://www.phishposters.com/ and http://www.expressobeans.com/.

Together they came up with the idea of a gathering of collectors to show off prints and exchange ideas. What they created was the first ever Phish poster collector’s show in combination with a Phish concert. This had never been done before. They named the event Best Poster Convention. The collector show was held in the Best Western Hampton Ballroom on the afternoon of Friday January 3rd 2003. BPC was born. It was a very special day for many. Later that night after an incredible YEM w/ “George Takei” vocal jam Mike Gordon and Carl “Gears” Gerhardt showed up to play with Col Bruce and the Code Talkers. It was a magic day for everyone involved.

BPC - II "Cartel Vida" Miami 2003                             

                               

With the launch of http://www.phishposters.com/ in 2003 the Phish collector base started to grow strong. It was only a matter of time before questions of a possible BPC-II art show surfaced. Those questions were answered later that year when Phish announced a New Years run of shows to take place in Miami Florida. Ideas for BPC-II “Cartel Vida” were put together almost instantly and fine tuned over the course of several weeks leading up to the NYE run. The second Phish collector art show combined with Phish concerts played out December 28^th 29^th and 30^th 2003 at the Miami Marriott. Christopher Peterson was the artist selected to do the official poster for the Phish Miami NYE run. Chris was invited to be our guest at BPC-II and along with artists Ryan Kerrigan, AJ Masthay, Mike Distante, Jen Anzalone, Michael Everett, Dave Huckins, Noah Phence and Jason Lees. BPC-II “Cartel Vida” was unlike anything we could have ever imagined. A Phish lot art show combined with a Phish concert was something fans seemed to really enjoy. However, the long road for Phish was coming to an abrupt end. As fans began to morne the breakup of their beloved band in early 2004, ideas for any future BPC events were all but gone.

BPC - III "Phamily Reunion" Hampton 2009                             

                                  

On October 4^th 2008, some four years after the breakup of Phish, it was announced that the boy’s were indeed back. The news of Phish selecting Hampton Virginia as its launching pad for three nights of reunion shows was just what BPC wanted to hear. BPC Art Productions is based in Hampton Roads. In just a few short weeks, along with help from Jim Pollock and associates, BPC-III “Phamily Reunion” was staged. Jim Pollock was selected to create the official Hampton print and Jim was also the special guest artist for BPC-III. Artists and organizations included The Mockingbird Foundation, Waterwheel, The Gig Gallery, Bruce Horan, Noah Phence, Erin Cadigan, CrazyRedBeard, Aunt and Uncle Ebeneezer, Adam Davidoff, Chris DiLeo, Tripp, AJ Masthay, Fred Hosman, Justin Helton and Ryan Kerrigan.

The combination of a Phish art show and live Phish concert has proven to be very successful. BPC Art Productions would like to extend our thanks to everyone involved past, present and future.

BPC Art Productions – The Original Phish Art Convention