Iconic Omaha: Mid-Century Graphic Design
Joslyn Castle & Gardens and Castle & Cathedral District present:
"Iconic Omaha: Mid-Century Graphic Design" ft. the archives of Hutcheson Displays, Inc.
Beginning in the 1940's, Bill Hutcheson and his young company, Hutcheson Displays, Inc., helped define the aesthetic of many of Omaha's most beloved and established institutions. The visual identities of Mutual of Omaha, College World Series, Ak-Sar-Ben Race Track and Coliseum, and many more, were shaped under his creative direction.
From landing at Eppley Airfield, to riding the Omaha Metro bus, to grocery shopping at the Hinky Dinky, Hutcheson Displays' campaigns helped defined the aesthetic of Omaha for a generation.
"Iconic Omaha: Mid-Century Graphic Design" includes original design concepts, production equipment, final ad campaign pieces, and historic documents from Hutcheson Displays, Inc., ranging from the 1940s-1980s. The collection is generously on loan from archive owner Larry Richling.
The exhibit opens in the Joslyn Castle Carriage House on Thursday, June 20th with an opening reception from 5pm-8pm. The festivities will take place during the Castle & Cathedral District June Art Walk. This event is free and open to the public.
"Iconic Omaha: Mid-Century Graphic Design" will run through August 20th, and be open to the public during Art Walks and other scheduled programming in the Carriage House. Private groups can reach out to Kelli Bello at kbello@joslyncastle.com to request a private showing.
Special Event: An Evening Celebrating the History of Commercial Art - July 31
Calling all Mad Men (and all Mad People)!
Join us for an evening celebrating the history and contributions of the graphic arts. Our current exhibit "Iconic Omaha: Mid-Century Graphic Design" will paint a vivid and nostalgic background to our evening, as guests are invited to sip a martini and settle in for a casual lecture presented by retired UNO Art History professor Nicholas Newman! Mr. Newman will guide us on a journey of the history of commercial art, starting from the very beginning.
Professor Newman has prepared a historical overview leading up to (and including) the 1940s through 1960s, which will address the give-and-take dynamic in commercial advertising between the hand-made and mechanical reproduction. This was seen in many design movements from the mid-19th century to the 1960s.
If you're feeling so inclined, join us in dusting off your Don Draper or Peggy Olson cosplay. This is a great opportunity to flex your mid-century fashion muscle, and we're leaning into the Mad Men-ness of it all.
Tickets are $12. Doors open at 6pm for an open gallery viewing, and our program begins at 6:30pm.
