Local Artist Julia Bottoms Among 12 Artist Selected for United States Postal Service Forever Stamp Series

Julia Bottoms

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo-based visual artist Julia Bottoms has unveiled two official United States Postal Service Forever Stamps as part of the "Figures of the American Revolution" stamp series. Bottoms was one of just 12 artists selected from across the country to create artwork for the collection, which features 25 stamps honoring influential figures from the American Revolution. 

Bottoms created oil-on-canvas portraits of Abigail Adams, an influential advocate for women's rights and the wife of the nation's second president, and Lemuel Haynes, a Revolutionary War veteran, minister, and one of America's first ordained Black ministers. The stamps are part of a nationwide collection celebrating individuals whose leadership and contributions helped shape the founding of the United States. 

"This project has been an honor to work on and I'm proud to represent Buffalo on such a special national platform. Creating these two stamps honors our country's history, and the incredible figures who helped build it. I found myself inspired by the monumental legacies of both Adams and Haynes. I also think this is a significant opportunity to showcase what Buffalo's art scene has to offer on a national scale. People are seeing the talent and vision here and they are calling on us for these opportunities. As a Buffalonian I'm so proud to shine a spotlight on our city." Julia Bottoms said.  

"Julia Bottoms' work reflects the incredible talent that exists within Buffalo's arts community," Mayor Sean Ryan said.  “I had the privilege of seeing Julia’s talent firsthand through her work on the Shirley Chisholm monument at Forest Lawn Cemetery, which honors the life and legacy of one of Buffalo’s most influential trailblazers. Her selection to contribute to the U.S. Postal Service’s Figures of the American Revolution stamp series is a remarkable achievement and well-deserved national recognition. Buffalo is incredibly proud to call Julia one of our own.”  

United States Postal Service Art Director Ethel Kessler selected Bottoms as one of 12 artists from across the country representing a wide range of artistic backgrounds and styles. Together, the artists created the 25-stamp Figures of the American Revolution Forever Stamp series. 

Additional information about the Figures of the American Revolution stamp collection and the artists who contributed to the series is available at 

Main Page: https://www.stampsforever.com/american-revolution

Julia Bottoms Artist Profile: https://www.stampsforever.com/american-revolution/artists/julia-bottoms