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Current Exhibitions and Events

 

Modern Jackpot: Vintage Vegas Signs by Marilyn Davenport

July 1, 2008-September 13, 2008

Opening Reception Thursday, July 10, 6-8pm

Las Vegas conjures up images of excitement, glamour and wealth. Captured are colorful, haphazard displays of classic 50’s through 70’s iconic Americana, vibrant graphics and fabulous font styles reminiscent of a glorious past. These photographs celebrate memories of a heritage of greatness with original Las Vegas signs that have aged and now lie in a state of disrepair behind a locked privacy fence in stark and arid outskirts located in the un-glamorous side of Las Vegas.

The artist became fascinated with the evolution taking place in Las Vegas. Once she discovered the signs at the Neon Museum located on the outskirts of Las Vegas, it took months to pin down an appointment. The shoot took place under strict guidelines and supervision. Museum staff would soon be clamping down on visits, due to the onslaught of requests for filming music videos and popular magazine shoots. Despite the obvious kitsch aspect of these vintage rusted treasures, the artist states, “I wanted to share this place from a more historical viewpoint”.  Images are exhibited courtesy of the Neon Museum, Las Vegas, Nevada.

A native Texan, Marilyn Davenport grew up in a creative household environment and developed an interest in photography from an early age. Today she shoots in digital SLR, 35mm, and medium film formats. Ms. Davenport sees the camera as a tool to express creativity, convey a message or simply to create pieces that are pleasing to the eye. With a degree in Advertising Art, Ms. Davenport continues to be involved in higher education serving on advisory boards and portfolio review boards. She has managed wet dark rooms, digital labs and photo studios, as well as served as an apprentice to several award-winning fashion and commercial photographers. Her work has received recognition in juried competitions and has been exhibited in several museums, galleries, libraries, Fotofest, and Houston City Hall.

    

    This exhibition is sponsored in part by Que Imaging, Houston, Texas and Silver Eagle Distributors, Houston, Texas.


Texas Grassroots: Botanical Prints by David J. Webb

June 12, 2008-September 6, 2008

Opening Reception Thursday, June 12, 6-8pm

These large scale monoprints, printed directly from the plant specimen, represent the nexus of art and science. Up to 44” in length, these prints are evocative of Asian brush painting in their simple strokes and elegant forms. These grass prints, titled by the grass genus and species names, represent a scientifically precise visual record of botanical specimens.

The specimens were collected in the urban centers of Houston, and pressed in the artist’s studio in a large herbarium press, before being inked and run through a standard 30” x 48” etching press. Grasses with their parallel veins possess great internal strength and are ideal for printing. Using the monoprint technique the artist may achieve far greater detail than other printing techniques.

David J. Webb is an artist working principally at Glassell School, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. His various works on paper have been seen in Glassell exhibitions. He has numerous block prints, etchings, lithographs, and photographs in private collections from Houston to Tokyo, Zürich, and Poltava, Ukraine. Strongly informed by a background in genetics and evolutionary biology, his work functions on the cusp between art and science.

 

Comic Books: a Visual Journey

May 14, 2008-August 16, 2008

Comic Book Fun Fest, Friday, June 20, 2008 from 6-8pm
Gallery Tour with Richard Evans at 6:30pm on Friday, June 20

The Museum of Printing History is pleased to present Comic Books: a Visual Journey. The exhibition presents an illustrated excursion through the development of a uniquely American art form. From their inception during the Great Depression, comic books have been a source of entertainment, wonder, derision, and controversy. What started out as a low cost experiment has grown into a huge, multi-media cultural mainstay. See the transformation of comic books, from their humble beginnings, World War II patriotism, '50s horror and violence, and the return of the superhero, through today's wonders of art and packaging.

Comic books in the show represent seminal works in the medium. Examples include early appearances of Superman, Spiderman, Batman, Iron Man, and X-Men. This show has been organized by Richard Evans of Bedrock City Comic Company.

 


Unabridged Editions: WIVLA Print & Photography Show

 July 31, 2008 – October 18, 2008

Opening Reception Thursday, July 31, 6-8pm

In conjunction with Women in the Visual and Literary Arts, the Museum of Printing History is pleased to present Unabridged Editions: the WIVLA Print & Photography Show. Open to all WIVLA members, this exhibition showcases all printmaking techniques, including photography, computer generated art and giclees. Work must have been completed in the last three years, without supervision, and not previously exhibited in the Museum of Printing History. According to the theme, Unabridged Editions, artists were encouraged to modify their prints and photos in some manner, by adding painting, drawing or collage.

The Museum of Printing History is funded in part by grants from the City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance.

 

 

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The Museum of Printing History
1324 W Clay Street, Houston, TX, 77019
Tel: 713 522 4652 · Fax: 713 522 5694