The 1960s were the heyday for graphic artists living in San Francisco. Concert promoters such as Bill Graham took advantage of this talent and a new style of design was born — printed on handbills and posters that circulated throughout the city. Feelin’ Groovy: Rock and Roll Graphics, 1966-1970 features a selection of these original concert posters and handbills on loan from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. They will be on exhibit in the hallway cases outside the gallery in the Fine Arts Center.
You may never have heard of “Quicksilver Messenger Service” or “Siegal Schwall” — but the Grateful Dead, Fleetwood Mac and Santana probably sound familiar. Check out this groovy poster art and realize how much times have changed (or have they?)
Art in the ‘Toon Age was born of a marriage between post-Pop aesthetics and the cartoon styles popularized by graphic artists in the 1950s. The exhibition features the work of thirty artists, from seven countries, representing three distinct generations. Featured ‘Toon Age artists from the 1960s and 70s include John Clem Clarke, Red Grooms, Elizabeth Murray and Jim Nutt. The next generation includes such diverse artists as Enrique Chagoya, Jeff Koons, Takashi Murakami and Sue Williams. The ”up and comers” group includes Laylah Ali, Yoshitoma Nara and Marcel Dzama — bringing ‘toon-inspired art from Disney to anime.
Art in the ‘Toon Age opens on October 16 and will continue through November 30 in the Fine Arts Center Gallery. It is supported through the Fine Arts Fee and is part of the Free Fall Festival of the Arts program on campus. A Gallery Open House will be held on Thursday, November 9 from 12 – 5 pm.
The Art in the ‘Toon Age exhibition was organized by the Kresge Art Museum, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI. The national museum tour was organized by Landau Traveling Exhibitions of Los Angeles, CA.