HEROES & VILLAINS: COMICS AS ART

WHEELING, W.Va. (April 2, 2009) - -The birth of the traditional American comic book in the 1930s has left a lasting impression on popular culture. Superheroes, super villains and their sidekicks maintain an honored place in the imaginations of people of all ages around the globe. Their images, full of power and wonder, will fill the Hart Galleries of the Stifel Fine Arts Center as Oglebay Institute and the Stifel Kline Foundation present “Heroes and Villains: Comics as Art.”

The exhibition opens with a free and festive public reception at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16 and continues through May 29. The exhibition is part of the Oglebay Institute 2008-2009 art exhibition season, which is proudly sponsored by United Bank with additional support from Lamar.

Illustrating how comics are created from design to final book, “Heroes and Villains: Comics as Art” features more than 35 original Marvel and DC comic book pages – everything from sketch mock-ups and pen and ink versions to splash pages and cover art - by some of the most well-known contributors to the comic book genre. Poster art and more than a dozen museum-replica sculptures are also on display along with “meet the artist” panels, which highlight the work of some of the most revered comic book artists.

Oglebay Institute director of exhibitions Brad Johnson created the exhibit to help further his goals of featuring unique artistic mediums and providing venues for people to learn about and understand various forms of art.

“Comic books are often passed off as childish or juvenile, not artistically worthy,” Johnson said, “but this genre carries strong literary significance as well as powerful artistic expression.”

He said that exhibits like this one illustrate that artistic value and merit can exist in a variety of non-traditional media and “challenge patrons to look at art as more than just paint on a canvas.”

“By combining storytelling with graphic images, comic books allow readers to see what the creator sees,” he said. “It’s a very dynamic genre that has gained wider cultural recognition in recent years.”

Through funding from the Elizabeth Stifel Kline Foundation, Johnson was able to purchase artwork for the show from throughout the nation. The ultimate goal is to market “Heroes and Villains” to other venues as an Oglebay Institute traveling exhibition.

“We have some great pieces in this show, and it appeals to a wide audience. We would love for other galleries around the region to include it in their exhibit schedule.”

Each year Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center presents a free, year-round art exhibit schedule. Johnson’s goals for the season are to present art for public viewing, provide a venue for professional and emerging artists to display their works, foster an appreciation of what art is and what it can be, and get the public talking about art.

“We have a very diverse season each year. Not everyone likes every piece or every show. That’s OK; that’s part of the process,” Johnson said. “Whether they love it, hate it or are confused by it, if they leave talking about the show I’m happy because it has opened up a dialogue about art,” Johnson said.

On display in the Hart Galleries, “Heroes and Villains” is part of the Helen B. Gaither Exhibition Season and is made possible through the generous support of the members of the Institute as well as with financial assistance from the West Virginia Division of Culture and History and the National Endowment for the Arts, with approval from the WV Commission on the Arts.

“Heroes and Villains: Comics as Art” can be seen free of charge 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday –Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Evening hours are dependent on classes and special events including Jazz at the Stifel, Mountain Moon Coffeehouse and the Art of Wine. Call 304.242.7700 for complete evening hour information.

Oglebay Institute’s Stifel Fine Arts Center is conveniently located just off exit 2B of I-70. Also a teaching facility, the Stifel welcomes students of all ages to its ongoing classes in art, dance, fitness, theater and more.

For more information call 304.242.7700 or visit on the web at www.oionline.com