Washington, D.C. – October 20, 2011 – Washington International Horse Show (WIHS) is thrilled to announce that noted illustrator and artist Michael Paraskevas of Southampton, N.Y. has created the poster artwork for the 53rd Annual Washington International, the country’s leading metropolitan indoor horse show, taking place October 25-30, 2011 at Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

“We are honored to feature Mickey Paraskevas’ humorous sketch, ‘Uncle Sam,’ as our official poster this year. Mickey tips his hat both to Washington, D.C. and WIHS in his light-hearted sketch of a gentleman in top hat watching the horses at the show through binoculars. The artwork perfectly connects our equestrian event to this great city,” said Bridget Love Meehan, executive director, WIHS.

This is Paraskevas’ second Washington-themed poster for WIHS. In 2009 he created a whimsical poster of a horse jumping over the White House.

The poster and matching note cards will be available for sale during the show in the WIHS souvenir booth on the concourse at Verizon Center.

Paraskevas is an award-winning illustrator featured in such prestigious publications as Sports Illustrated, Time, Town & Country and Esquire.

With his late mother, Betty, he published more than 20 children’s books, including the much-loved Tangerine Bear, which was produced as a Christmas Special for ABC in 2000. Other popular works include Junior Kroll, A Very Kroll Christmas, Shamlanders, The Ferocious Beast, Cecil Bunions, and Chocolate at the Four Seasons. Their most well-known project, Maggie and the Ferocious Beast, was developed for Nickelodeon’s children’s channel – Nick Jr. and is still running on Noggin. It won the prized Gemini Award for best animated show of 2001 in Canada.

Paraskevas was educated at the School of Visual Arts in New York, where he also received his Master’s Degree in Visual Journalism.

About The Washington International Horse Show: www.wihs.org
An equestrian tradition since 1958, the Washington International Horse Show is the country’s leading metropolitan indoor horse show and the pinnacle of the equestrian year with leading riders, including Olympic medalists, and fabulous horses. More than 500 horses participate in show jumping, hunter and equitation events during the six-day show. Highlights include the $100,000 President’s Cup Grand Prix, the Puissance high-jump competition; and WIHS Equitation Classic Finals featuring the country’s top junior riders. Special exhibitions, boutique shopping and community activities will round out this family-friendly event.

Since its debut, the Washington International has been a Washington, DC, institution attended by presidents, first ladies, celebrities, business and military leaders, as well as countless horse enthusiasts of all ages. Washington International Horse Show Association, Ltd. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization headquartered in Washington, D.C.

For more information on the Washington International Horse Show, please visit their website at www.wihs.org, visit the WIHS page on Facebook, join them on Twitter, or watch their YouTube page!