Put up or shut up.

Two weeks ago, we launched our 2012 Minneapolis show to record crowds, record poster sales and an unprecedented flurry of media coverage. In two weeks, we’ll hold our fourth show in St. Louis, a three-day celebration of all things bike coinciding with the Missouri Professional Cycling Series, a weekend of racing featuring some of the world’s top teams. We’re putting the finishing touches on show plans for Denver, London, Portland and San Francisco. And we’re partnering with Interbike to create not just a new poster show, but an entire campaign to promote the bike industry’s signature event in Las Vegas this September.

So far, so good. So what.

Ever since we first ventured outside of Minneapolis to hold bike poster shows, we’ve been sharing the room with two elephants: New York and Los Angeles. As we’ve grown here in the U.S. and even jumped across the Atlantic to London, the announcement of each new city has consistently prompted questions about when we were coming to the City That Never Sleeps, or The City of Angels.

Less talkin’, more rockin’.

Typically, we don’t announce a show until we have two things locked down like Fort Knox: A place to hold it, and a confirmed date. But there’s absolutely nothing typical about this year, and it’s time for us to write a new script.

Starting today, we’re accepting artist submissions for 2012 shows in New York and Los Angeles.

The entry deadline for both shows is Saturday, June 2. Details on how to enter can be found on each city’s show page.

We’ll announce dates and venues for those shows as soon as they’re nailed down. But we can’t have a show without art, and we can’t have art without artists. So if you’re bike-loving, poster-making carbon-based life form in and around New York and Los Angeles, we want to hear from you. Now.

Next!

ARTCRANK STL will feature hand-made, bike-inspired posters created by 30 St. Louis-area artists. Admission is free, and limited edition, signed and numbered copies of all posters will be available for $40 each. The show coincides with the Missouri Professional Cycling Series (MO PRO) and its featured race, The Tour De Grove.

While ARTCRANK began in Minneapolis and has since grown to include shows in 10 cities, including U.S. bike hot spots like Portland and San Francisco, and even a show in London, the show has St. Louis roots that go way back. Founder and Creative Director Charles Youel grew up in St. Louis, and his longtime friendship with Big Shark Bicycle Co. owner and MO PRO Race Director Mike Weiss helped bring the show to the Gateway City debut in 2009.

“I didn’t know what kind of reception we’d get when we first brought the show here,” says Youel. “But there’s some amazing creative talent in St. Louis, and our shows have gotten bigger and better every year.” Youel adds that holding the show in The Grove neighborhood has been a big help, too. “I love to see the role that cycling is playing in the transformation of The Grove, from bike lanes to bike-themed businesses like HandleBar and Randy’s Recycled Cycles.”

Fans my find their attention divided between the poster art on the walls and the racing action out on the street. “The Missouri Professional Cycling Series is bringing back many of the same teams and top athletes who competed in the Tour of Missouri Professional,” says Weiss. “It’s an Olympic year, and this is an internationally sanctioned event, so the intensity of the competition between the racers will be at an all-time high.

There’s one more bike angle to the show that’s worth toasting. In partnership with Widmer Brothers Brewing, ARTCRANK will be selling custom pint glasses throughout the weekend, with all proceeds going to support St. Louis Bicycle Works — a nonprofit organization that gives kids the chance to earn a free bike while they learn about bike safety and maintenance. Atomic Cowboy will be offering specials on Widmer Brothers beer to everyone who buys a glass, too. “We like to support cycling-related causes in all of our host cities,” says Youel. “Any program that puts more people on bikes is something we can get behind.”

Thanks to Jonathan, and to all of our sponsors for making our MSP show possible:
Widmer Brothers Brewing | Clif Bar | Neenah Paper | Arthouse | Chowgirls | Metro Magazine | Big Table Studio | Clockwork | Chank | One On One Bike | Mitrebox Framing | Dero | The Current | Bicycle Times

After that moment has passed and I can once again think and speak in more than a series of monosyllabic grunts, the first thing I’ll do is look at the photos taken by my friend Jonathan Chapman at Saturday night’s ARTCRANK MSP Opening Night Party: A series of stills and stop motion images that, even as we speak, are being lovingly edited, spun into animated action and set to music.

This project came together very quickly in the days before our opening, and we’ll raise the curtain on it tomorrow. To be sure, it wouldn’t have come about without Herculean efforts and inspired madness on the part of Jonathan and animator Justin Meredith. And even so, the plan that launched it came together so quickly that it just felt like it was supposed to happen. But maybe that’s just the fumes talking.

No matter how fresh the memories of that night are, I still can’t wait to see it through the eyes of the camera. Come back later this week and see for yourself.

Charles Youel

ALPHARETTA, Ga. (April 10, 2012) —Neenah Paper (NYSE: NP) is the official paper sponsor for ARTCRANK, a bicycle-inspired poster art show that features talented, local artists, using creativity to change the way people think about bicycles. At ARTCRANK’s kick-off event in Minneapolis, Neenah will unveil and auction off a three-dimensional paper “bike” made solely from Neenah Paper products to benefit the American Cancer Society.

“We’re thrilled to partner with ARTCRANK again this year to promote local artwork and poster design to biking communities across the country,” said Chris Schneider, customer marketing manager for Neenah Paper. “We’re launching our first-ever 3-D paper bike during the Minneapolis event as a way to visually support the ARTCRANK mission and celebrate local design. We hope to change the way people think about cycling with an eye-catching, life-size paper bike that showcases the creativity and versatility of Neenah’s paper products.”

The 3-D Neenah Paper bike, designed by Big Table Studio, will be revealed for silent auction during ARTCRANK’s Opening Party on Sat., April 14 from 5 – 11 p.m. at the first-floor gallery of Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art. Proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the American Cancer Society in honor of ARTCRANK Artist Aaron Purmort, a brain cancer survivor who recovered from surgery, radiation and chemo treatments just in time to complete his poster for the show.  Proceeds from the sale of Purmort’s poster, one of 40 created by local artists for the event, also will go to the American Cancer Society.

Photos of the design and construction of a three-dimensional “paper bike” built by Big Table Studios for Neenah Paper and ARTCRANK. The full bike will be revealed at the ARTCRANK MSP Opening Night Party on Saturday, April 14.

According to ARTCRANK Founder Charles Youel, Neenah’s 3-D paper bike is a radically creative, yet fitting evolution from the show’s handmade poster roots. “ARTCRANK was born from a love of bikes and art, but also from a fascination with the craft of printing and how paper and ink combine to make something amazing. Seeing that alchemy happen in three dimensions with the paper bike is incredible.”

In 2012, ARTCRANK will hold shows in Minneapolis, Austin, Texas, St. Louis, Los Angeles, New York, Denver, London, Portland and San Francisco. Youel hopes to have a different paper bike built for each event. For more information, including a complete schedule, visit www.artcrank.com.

To learn more about Neenah, visit www.neenahpaper.com.

About Neenah Paper
For more than 100 years, Neenah Paper (NYSE: NP) has been an innovative leader in the creation and manufacturing of premium, specialty and sustainable papers used for premium writing, text, cover, private watermarks, and specialty needs. The Neenah signature portfolio includes CLASSIC®, ENVIRONMENT®, CRANE® and SUNDANCE® Papers, and in 2012 the company added the ASTROBRIGHT® and ROYAL Brands. The company also produces envelopes in thousands of unique styles.

Neenah is committed to developing relevant mobile and online technologies including the new desktop tool Neenah Paper Cabinet™. With multiple manufacturing facilities in Wisconsin, prime importance is also placed on recycled and alternative fiber products through the Neenah Green initiative. Visit www.neenahpaper.com for more information or call (800) 558-5061. Follow Neenah Paper on Twitter: @neenahpaper; subscribe to the Neenah Facebook page; or visit Neenah’s blog, Against the Grain.

The Missouri Professional Cycling Series features the Tour de Grove, which is one of only 19 USA Cycling National Criterium Calendar (NCC) professional cycling races in the United States.  The NCC series represents the most prestigious professional cycling races in the United States and attracts the top professional cyclists and teams to compete from across the country and world. The Tour de Grove will be the highest profile cycling event in the Midwest.

“The Tour of Missouri Professional Cycling Race created a healthy appetite for the top level of professional cycling in our State.  The Missouri Professional Cycling Series is bringing back many of the same teams and athletes,” says Race Director and former Tour of Missouri Professional Cycling Race Board President, Mike Weiss. “It’s an Olympic year and internationally sanctioned which will elevate the intensity of the competition, it will be a show.”

New for 2012, the Saturday May 12^th Tour de Grove has been given a significantly higher event ranking by the governing body for cycling internationally, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). Formerly a UCI 1.4 event, the new ranking (UCI 1.2) dramatically increases the stature and importance of the race to professional teams.  Both the Tour de Grove and the Dutchtown Classic are included on the USA Crits Championship Series, the premiere criterium race series in America. All three days will feature professional men’s and women’s races in addition to a full schedule of amateur racing. Saturday and Sunday’s races will include US Paralympic hand cycling races as part of the 2012 U.S. Handcycling Series.

Beginning Friday evening, May 11^th, under the lights, the LOOP de LOOP Grand Prix will light up the streets of one of the region’s best shopping, dining and entertainment districts. The neighborhood will come alive with outdoor expos, dining and children’s races.

The NCC and USA Crits Tour de Grove race will be held Saturday, May 12^th. The course will be a 1.7 mile spectator friendly, winding circuit through the Grove neighborhood with a sprint finish along Manchester Avenue in front of the area’s restaurant and bar district.  The professional men will compete 25 laps of this circuit for a 40+ mile race.  The professional women will complete 18 laps for a 30+ mile race.  The day begins with the Tour de Grove 5K run and a recreational ride organized by TRAILNET.  The racing will be underway late morning with an undercard of amateur races, increasing in ability as the day progresses.

The men’s and women’s professional races will be preceded by children’s races and a US Paralympic Hand Cycling event.  Viewing parties, a community Expo and neighborhood activities will be set up around the course.  Following the races cyclist will return for an evening Street Sprints competition and an audience participation cruiser Drag Race.

Also making a return to The Grove neighborhood is ARTCRANK, a bike art show featuring hand-made, cycling-inspired posters created by 30 St. Louis artists. Limited edition, signed and numbered copies of all posters will be available for $40 each at Atomic Cowboy on Manchester throughout the weekend. The event doubles as a fundraiser for St. Louis BicycleWorks, an organization that gives kids the chance to earn a free bike while they learn about bike safety and maintenance through their Earn-a-Bike program, which has provided inner-city kids with more than 10,000 bikes.

Sunday, May 13^th, the Dutchtown Classic features a challenging criterium circuit around the Dutchtown business district and Marquette Park.  The Dutchtown Classic boasts a full schedule of amateur and professional racing, children’s races and a US Handcycling event.

Professional bicycle racing is an exhilarating spectator and family friendly event.  The racers maneuver their bikes shoulder to shoulder through fast straightaways and technical corners at speeds approaching 40 mph.  In addition to the race’s $35,000 total purse, the professional men and women will compete for the King and Queen of the Grove titles based upon leading the most laps throughout the race.

Already signed up are some of the most competitive teams in national and international cycling, including seven teams featured in the Amgen Tour of California.

Riders and teams committing to compete in the Missouri Professional Cycling Series will be announced as the event draws near.  All events are free for spectators.  For more information, visit www.moprocycling.com

The St. Louis LOOP is located at the union of St. Louis City and University City. The LOOP is famous for its diverse and eclectic dining, shopping and entertainment options, as well as many of St. Louis’ landmark businesses. For more information visit www.visittheloop.com

The Grove neighborhood is in the Mid City area and the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood of St. Louis.  Five blocks of Manchester Avenue cut through the heart of The Grove between Kingshighway Blvd. and Vandeventer Ave.  Highway 40 provides the border to the north.  The Grove is the new-old neighborhood along Manchester for eating, drinking, living, partying, primping, and shopping.  For more information visit: www.inTheGroveSTL.com

The Dutchtown neighborhood is in South St. Louis City bordered by the Mississippi River and the Missouri Pacific Railroad, a historic commercial and residential district that features beautiful architecture, Cherokee St. Antique Row and the Meramec St. commercial district. For more information visit www.dt2stl.org

Just finished printing this year’s ARTCRANK poster. It’s called “Proud Papa” in honor of our newborn son Griffin Eames who joined us durring the process. Despite dragging junior along in a Burley bike trailer Dad wins the race with the a surge of pride and the energy that brings.

My buddy Charles runs this shindig and it’s always a really good time. This year they’re having it back downtown at Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art right over by the Bev’s Wine Bar. I was lucky enough to be selected to participate for a third year. Out of all my projects all year long, I really look forward to this one. It’s a chance to make art about bikes with no real rules or clients.

The ARTCRANK MSP Opening Night Party gets underway on Saturday, April 14 in the first-floor gallery at Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art. After that, the show will move to its birthplace at One On One Bicycle Studio, and then head east for a closing bash at the Amsterdam Bar & Hall in St. Paul. In all locations, admission is free, and limited edition, signed and numbered copies of all posters will be available for $40 each.

“One of the big ideas behind ARTCRANK has always been we making art as accessible to people as bikes are,” says ARTCRANK founder Charles Youel. “Part of that is price — it’s pretty cool to be able offer limited edition, handmade posters for 40 bucks. But it’s also about introducing people to the artists who live in and work in their community. Kicking things off in the Warehouse District gives us a great opportunity to reach out to people who’ve never been to one of our shows.”

The Opening Night Party will be about having a good time for a pair of good causes as well. Portland, Oregon-based Widmer Brothers Brewing will provide a selection of craft beers in exclusive ARTCRANK pint glasses, with proceeds supporting Springboard for the Arts and its programs to provide access to healthcare for uninsured artists. And ARTCRANK artist Aaron Purmort, who’s recovering from a brain tumor, will donate the proceeds from his poster to the American Cancer Society.

ARTCRANK is also collaborating with Neenah Paper and St. Paul’s Big Table Studio on another fundraising project for the Opening Night Party that’s still top-secret — something that Youel describes as “maybe the ultimate mash-up of bicycles and art.”

Since even the hardiest Twin Cities cyclists can’t live on art alone, ARTCRANK is also joining forces with METRO Magazine to add a small army of food trucks to dish out gourmet grub at the Opening Night Party. The Current will provide the soundtrack for the evening, with local recording artist Mayda rumored to be making a special appearance.

And for those who arrive at the event by bike, Clif Bar and One On One are teaming up to provide free valet bike parking in a lot next to the venue.

“This is our sixth show here, and every year we try to top what we’ve done before,” says Youel. “We just want to throw a bike art party worthy of the number one cycling town in the U.S.”

Find out more about ARTCRANK MSP here. And if you’re on Facebook, RSVP for the Opening Night Party here.

Like the Bicycle Film Festival, ARTCRANK has come a long way since its humble beginnings as a celebration a specific intersection of cycling culture and creative culture. The bike-themed poster exhibition started in Minneapolis in 2007 and has since expanded to nearly a dozen locations, adding more cycle-happy cities every year.