Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona adds “The Eagle has Landed” and “Galaxy Gothic” posters to its distinctive collection of discovery

Lowell Observatory has announced the recent acquisition of Rex Parker’s dramatic “Galaxy Gothic” and “The Eagle has Landed” for there collection. “They’re lovely!” — said Lauren Amundson, Archivist and Librarian for Lowell Observatory shown holding “Galaxy Gothic” print.

The “Galaxy Gothic” poster design is the epic adventure of exploration — from the Milky Way to the brilliant stars whirling through the cosmos.

Parker designed “The Eagle has Landed” poster — in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 Moon mission. The poster combines timeless symbols, heroic forms and strong colors to honor the first Eagle Scout to set foot on the Moon, American astronaut Neil Armstrong.

Lowell Observatory scientific work has been historic — from the discovery of Pluto to it’s lunar legacy in mapping the moon for NASA’s Apollo Program. “It’s an honor to be part of Lowell Observatory distinctive collection of discovery” said Parker.

RIT Cary Graphic Arts Collection adds Rex Parker’s “The 115th Anniversary” poster series for Goudy’s Village Press

The Cary Graphic Arts Collection at the Rochester Institute of Technology is one of the nation’s premier libraries on design history, with an extraordinary collection that includes over 40,000 books, manuscripts and letters. “I was honored when Amelia Hugill-Fontanel, Associate Curator at the Cary Graphic Arts Collection at RIT Libraries, wanted to include the Frederic Goudy’s poster series — used to celebrate the Village Press 115th Anniversary in its graphic design archive,” said Parker.

Parker created the thirty iconic posters for the 115th Anniversary of the Village Press which was established by Frederic W. Goudy in Park Ridge in 1903. Goudy was a legend; America’s superstar designer of the shapes that dress our words. He created more than 100 magnificent faces, many still in popular use. Goudy’s designs bridged the gap between the print and digital ages with an elegance and energy that are eloquent — and timeless.

The Chicago Design Archive adds Rex Parker’s work to its remarkable collection of the best of Chicago design

The Chicago Design Archive, a virtual museum of the best of Chicago design, has added over 30 posters by Parker to its remarkable collection. He is only the third person from Park Ridge, Illinois to be so honored, the others are Frederic Goudy and Alfonso Iannelli.

“It is so cool to be included in the Chicago Design Archive — It’s like being inducted into the designers’ version of the Baseball Hall of Fame,” Parker says. “I’m humbled to have my work added to a collection of Chicago works that feature such design greats as John Massey, Ralph Eckerstom, Herbert Bayer, Oswald Cooper, Paul Rand, and Susan Jackson Keig.”

The Archive is committed to preserving the history of Chicago’s design and Chicago’s creative vision. “The Chicago Design Archive is an outstanding resource for the arts in education everywhere, so that tomorrow’s creative people can develop and share their talents with all of us,” Parker says.

You can check out Parker’s virtual exhibit at the Chicago Design Archive here!

University of Houston Moores School of Music adds John Alden Carpenter posters to its Special Collections

The Moores School of Music at University of Houston added two posters by the artist Rex Parker of the jazz-age classical composer John Alden Carpenter. The artwork is earmarked for the University of Houston Libraries Special Collections.

“I am so pleased these posters are a part of the University of Houston Libraries Special Collections,” said Parker. Professor Howard Pollack’s biography of Carpenter, Skyscraper Lullaby: The Life and Music of John Alden Carpenter was an inspiration to Parker in creating these dynamic Art Deco posters.

Designed for the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra, posters celebrating composer John Alden Carpenter mirror his lofty, buoyant energy. Hailed by longtime New York Symphony Orchestra conductor Walter Damrosch as “the most American of our composers,” Carpenter was a Park Ridge native; son of the municipality’s first mayor, George Carpenter; and related to the Aldens of Early American fame.

Carpenter’s whimsical suite, Adventures in a Perambulator was on the docket for Walt Disney’s planned sequel to Fantasia. His innovative ballet, Skyscrapers, which enjoyed success in New York and Munich, was the only American work commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev for the Ballets Russes.

The Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum adds artist Rex Parker’s Deco-inspired “Gatsby” poster to its collection

Dr. Alaina Doten, Curator of The Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald Museum in Montgomery, Alabama has added artist Rex Parker’s Deco-inspired “Karen Black: Gatsby” poster to its collection. The museum celebrates the lives, the legacies and glittering romance of the Roaring 1920s iconic couple F. Scott & Zelda Fitzgerald.

“F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby is my favotie novel,” said Parker — this bold poster captures the tragic, foreshadowed destiny of Myrtle Wilson in the Jazz Age classic, The Great Gastby; a role for which Park Ridge native Karen Black won her second Golden Globe Award.