Bumbershoot®: Seattle’s Music & Arts Festival is celebrating its 40th year in 2010. To commemorate this milestone and highlight the city’s role in fostering what has become one of the nation’s largest music and arts festivals, a special exhibition at City Hall will feature posters and original artwork from the artists who defined Bumbershoot’s look over the past four decades. Umbrella for the Arts: 40 Years of Bumbershoot Artwork will be on display July 1 through Sept. 7.

Attend an artist reception, 5 to 7 p.m., Thursday, July 8 in the lobby of City Hall. An artist talk featuring key artists and designers who have defined Bumbershoot’s look will be held 5:30 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 3 in the lobby of City Hall. Both events are free and open to the public.

The exhibition will showcase original artwork from the collections of the city of Seattle (which started the Festival in 1971) and One Reel, the producer of Bumbershoot since 1980. Umbrella for the Arts features the work of celebrated artists Jacob Lawrence, Dawn Cerny, Claes Oldenberg, Joe Max Emminger, Gregory Blackstock and more. In addition to original artworks and the fine arts posters, official Bumbershoot posters—developed each year for promotional purposes by a “who’s who” of Seattle graphic designers—will also be on display.

Image: Jeff Kleinsmith, 2002 Official Poster (detail), print, 35″ x 24.2″. Photo by Jackie Canchola.