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Pennsylvania native Keith Haring’s artwork featured on new 2025 stamp

By Ashley Adams

November 26, 2024

A 1985 untitled drawing from Kutztown native Keith Haring will be featured on the USPS’s new Love stamp coming out in 2025.

Pennsylvania native Keith Haring’s artwork will be featured on a new stamp to be released by the US Postal Service in 2025.

Haring’s 1985 untitled drawing is featured on the postal service’s Love stamp, which is intended to celebrate the universal experience of love. 

“The non-specificity of the figures allows a variety of people to see themselves in this stamp,” said Antonio Alcalá, an art director for USPS. “Partners getting married, celebrating an anniversary, siblings sending each other a heartfelt greeting, or even party planners setting a positive tone for their event.”

The Love stamp is one of many new stamp designs that will be coming next year. Others include American vistas, baby wild animals, vibrant leaves, and one honoring Betty White.

Originally from Kutztown in Berks County, Haring graduated from Kutztown Area High School in 1976 and studied for several semesters at the Ivy School of Professional Art in Pittsburgh before moving to New York City, where he gained notoriety from his spontaneous drawings in city subways.  He produced more than 50 public artworks for hospitals, daycare centers, and schools. His iconic artwork often focused on political and societal themes—including the crack cocaine epidemic, apartheid, safe sex, and homosexuality.

Haring would go on to create a mural on the Berlin Wall, design sets for MTV, and contribute a painting for Live Aid’s iconic 1985 concert in Philadelphia. Andy Warhol, Yoko Ono, and Madonna were among those who championed his work.

According to legend, Haring never forgot his roots, often introducing himself as “Keith from Kutztown” and remaining in touch with friends from Berks County.

After he was diagnosed with AIDS in 1988, Haring used his artwork to speak about his illness and inspire activism and awareness about AIDS. He died in 1990 of AIDS-related complications. 

Author

  • Ashley Adams

    In her 16 years in the communications industry, Ashley Adams has worn many hats, including news reporter, public relations writer, marketing specialist, copy editor and technical writer. Ashley grew up in Berks County and has since returned to her roots to raise her three children.

CATEGORIES: LOCAL NEWS

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