2025 Season poster features original art by painter Steve Hartman in a poster designed by Clayton Hopkins. 

© Opera Edwardsville 2025

Artist Biography

Steve Hartman is artist and creative director living in Edwardsville. Steve grew up in Glen Carbon and is a 1988 graduate of Edwardsville High School, where he studied art under the tutelage of Dennis DeToye. 30 years a designer and longer as an artist/creator, Steve experiments with random and loose applications of color, light and textures. Precision as a graphic designer in his day job juxtaposed with making art with the opposing theory of happenstance and happy accidents balances out Steve's creative investigations—both inspire each other. Steve is also a fine art photographer, and has captured many corners of the Edwardsville area in his work. 

Artist Statement

"Thanks to Opera Edwardsville for choosing me to produce the image for the 2025 season. We selected the Edwardsville Library as our focus of the wonderful work Opera Edwardsville presents to the children and families of our community. Providing arts for youth to experience and explore is a critical element of their development. The arts give them opportunities to grow as humans; a safe space for all children to find themselves; and, give opportunity to problem solving, cultural awareness and self confidence. In my painting you will see strength and support through columns, windows and structure for protections, and reflections for self awareness. And colors. Lots and lots of colors for cultural awareness and acceptance."

Steve Hartman