Chicago Music Poster History

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Chicago’s unique and distinctive graphic design history includes a rich tradition of poster production. From early posters advertising the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition to those announcing independent rock musicians, festivals, and concerts, Chicago’s silkscreen industry has long been a lively enterprise and continues to thrive.

Join Northwestern University Archivist Kevin Leonard and a panel of local printmakers for a discussion about the art of music poster making in Chicago, historically and today. Presented by Chicago Collections Consortium (CCC), this program includes an overview of Chicago’s music poster history and a discussion of the city’s ongoing position as a vibrant hub for printmakers. Panelists highlight music posters found in CCC’s member collections alongside contemporary examples.

Panelists include Kevin Leonard (Northwestern University, University Archivist), Thomas Lucas (Hummingbird Press), Alexandrea Pataky (High Lonesome Print), Jay Ryan (The Bird Machine), and Steve Walters (Screwball Press).

This program is followed on November 12 by a Music Poster Workshop.

Image: Alexandrea Pataky, Trio #2, 2020. Original illustration and screenprint, 16 x 20 in.