The City of Park Ridge Proclamation in recognition of “115th Anniversary of Goudy’s Village Press”

On April 16th, 2018, Mayor Marty Maloney read a Proclamation recognizing the 115th Anniversary of Goudy’s Village Press which was established by Frederic W. Goudy in Park Ridge in 1903. “Today, we celebrate the handsome, hand-forged elegance of Arts & Crafts type fonts designed by Goudy and remember Goudy as a legend and an American superstar designer of the shapely letters that dress our words,” Maloney said.

He recognized Goudy and the Village Press “for creating more than 100 magnificent typefaces with his designs that bridged the gap between the print and digital ages with an elegance and energy that are eloquent and timeless.”

Former Alderman Rex Parker accepted the Proclamation and presented two framed prints to Mayor Maloney. “Goudy’s Village Press would have may locations over the years,” said Parker, “but it was here in Park Ridge when it all started, in a little barn on South Prospect, a block from the current City Hall. Park Ridge always held a special place in Frederic and Bertha Goudy’s heart.”

A poster series of the historic Louis Sullivan “Jewel Box” Bank in downtown Newark, Ohio

I have teamed up Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc for a poster series supporting the restoration of the historic Louis Sullivan “Jewel Box” Bank in downtown Newark, Ohio. WJE is part of the team working on the restoration of this Sullivan masterpiece.

“What a great series of three graphics,” said Rex. “The visuals includes a guardian lion, gorgeous geometric mosaics and ornamental terra cotta facade from the structure.”

The Louis Sullivan Building of Newark has graced the Courthouse Square for over a century. It was built in 1914, and opened as The Home Building Association Company, commonly known as “The Old Home.” In 1973, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Since early 2014, the Licking County Foundation and a team of community volunteers have been working to develop a plan for the Louis Sullivan Building of Newark’s restoration and reuse. The vision has always been to create a valuable space that is financially self-sustaining and open for the public to enjoy, celebrate and study. To donate and support the Licking County Foundation please contact them at www.thelcfoundation.org.

State Senator Laura Murphy Celebrates the 115th Anniversary of the Village Press

Illinois State Senator Laura Murphy, joined Rex Parker in celebrating the 115th anniversary of the Village Press.“It is always a pleasure to celebrate our community’s successes and rich history,” Murphy said.

Senator Murphy secured Senate Recognition for the 115th anniversary of the Village Press at the Illinois General Assembly in Springfield, Illinois. In part, it reads that the Senate... “Though the Village Press called Park Ridge home for only a short time, it went on to win acclaim at the 1904 World Exhibition. The memory of the Village Press lives on through its publications and the designs of its founder, Frederic Goudy.”

The Village Press was established in Park Ridge in 1903 by Frederic W. Goudy and was modeled on the ideals of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement. The McLean County Museum, located in Goudy’s hometown of Bloomington, Illinois honored Goudy’s work and the anniversary of the Village Press with an exhibit titled “Frederic Goudy: Titan of Type” fall, 2018.

The City of St. Charles adds “Zook: Fox River Moderne” Poster by Artist Rex Parker

The City of St. Charles, Illinois has announced the acquisition of American artist Rex Parker’s “Zook: Fox River Moderne” Poster. The poster is of the iconic St. Charles Municipal Building, a Streamline Moderne masterpiece, created by R. Harold Zook in 1940. This poster combines visual elements of a classic wooden roundabout boat, a geometric fox motif and brilliant colors to create this stunning art deco design.

“I am thrilled that the poster will be displayed at The St. Charles Municipal Building,” said Parker. “The building is an architectural marvel on the majestic Fox River.”

Rex Parker’s “Miss Pleasant: One-Room School Teacher” Poster finds a home at Illinois State University, College of Education.

Illinois State University, College of Education has announced the acquisition of American artist Rex Parker’s “Miss Pleasant: One-Room School Teacher.” Poster. The image is a tribute to the steadfast commitment to teaching excellence at Illinois State University.

The poster dramatically integrates visual elements of several historic photographs of the artist’s grandmother Monona “Pleasant” Parker (1895-1994) from Moweaqua, Illinois who was a remarkable one room school teacher in central Illinois and southern Indiana during the 1910’s.

“I am thrilled that the poster will be displayed at the Eyestone School Museum on the ISU campus, my grandmother loved teaching,” said Parker. The Eyestone School is a one-room, old-fashioned school house that offers wooden desks, McGuffey Readers, slates, and a coal stove. It was named for Lura Eyestone, a loyal alumna and a retired member of the Thomas Metcalf School. Eyestone graduated from Illinois State Normal University in 1892 and joined the Illinois State faculty in 1903. She remained on the faculty until her retirement in 1939.