A Treasury of American Prints

Artists portraying an earlier, more rural America have gained a well-earned reputation for their ability to depict the traditions and lifestyles of various regions. Sometimes starkly realistic and other times quietly ironic, artists like Thomas Hart Benton, Grant Wood and John Steuart Curry have recorded customs that are often seen as passé, but which attract more and more adherents as the pace of modern life invades the personal sphere.

Other artists whose works are featured in this exhibit include Howard Cook, Don Freeman, Kenneth Hayes Miller and Stow Wengenroth. These artists are not only finding their inspiration in rural America but are also hearing testimony to the fact that rural America still constitutes a viable alternative.

The prints in this exhibit were produced from 1908 through the end of the 30s. Artists range from socialist writers such as John Sloan, to the graphic designer turned society wit, Paul Cadmus. Most importantly, the printmakers in this exhibit were part of a period described as a Renaissance in American art and all too often obscured by economic and social upheavals.

This diversified collection of prints is attractively framed and matted under Plexiglas. It is sure to appeal to a large segment of the public and is likely to evoke nostalgia in those who have pulled away from their native roots.