“Frederic Goudy & the Village Press” The Kalo Foundation - Sunday, March 10th, 2019

Rex’s talk drew a standing-room-only crowd at The Kalo Foundation of Park Ridge, just a few blocks away from the home where Frederic and Bertha Goudy founded the legendary Village Press. The Kalo Foundation has taken a leading role in advancing the remarkable artitic history of Frederic W. Goudy, a world-renowned member of the “Park Ridge Art Colony” through education, advocacy, and preservation.

For the 115th Anniversary of Goudy’s Village Press, Rex was delighted to have a conversation about the artistry and craftsmanship of The Village Press, founded in 1903 by Frederic W. Goudy in Park Ridge, Illinois. The Village Press was modeled on the ideals of William Morris and the Arts and Crafts movement. The first publication of The Village Press was the William Morris and Emery Walker essay, Printing; its Arts & Craft Impressions went on to win acclaim at the 1904 World Exhibition.

In 1903, Village typeface was cast - the handsome, hand-forged “Arts & Crafts” font designed by Frederic W. Goudy for the Village Press. It was Goudy’s international reputation for type design that made this private press so extraordinary.

Celebrating 25 Seasons: Park Ridge Civic Orchestra

I created a cosmic universe of dazzling colors for the poster to promote the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra’s performance of Holst’s The Planets. Holst’s orchestral suite has been a chief inspiration for much of the music heard in today’s films.

To celebrate the PRCOrchestra’s 25th Anniversary, the March 3rd performance also featured the extremely popular and devilishly difficult Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. Orchestra scholarship winner Joshua Brown received glowing reviews for his performance as the evening’s soloist.

Route 66: Milk Bottle Grocery prints available 1/14/2019

I just love the giant milk bottle and created this art to celebrate one of the most memorable attractions on Route 66. The cool Milk Bottle landmark in Oklahoma City has sat atop the tiny wedge-shaped building since 1948. This bright and dynamic poster has a amazing retro futuristic look. — Rex

An Irish Christmas

This poster combines enchanting gaelic symbols, interlacing celtic patterns and Irish dancers full of holiday spirit. The concert featured “Fantasia on a Theme by ThomascTallis,” by Ralph Vaughan Williams; “Christmas in the Trenches,” by John McCutcheon; and “What Child Is This,” by William Dix, among other pieces, including Irish holiday favorites.

McLean County Museum of History acquires “Frederic Goudy” poster

While in the historic Governor Fifer Courtroom, I was pleased to present the “Frederic Goudy” artwork to Susan Hartzold, curator for the McLean County Museum of History. I hope it will make a great addition to the Museum’s outstanding collection.

The Museum hosted the “Frederic Goudy: The Titan of Type” exhibit in Goudy’s hometown to celebrate the 115th anniversary of the Village Press.

I would like to thank Susan Hartzold, Jeffery Woodard, Bill Kemp and the rest of the Museum’s staff and all the volunteers for their help with the exhibit. — Rex