Information  and  Contact:  Candice  Lopez,  Professor  Graphic  Design  calopez@sdccd.edu  |  619.972.  0483  http://www.sovietpostershow.com  

SAN  DIEGO  CITY  COLLEGE  HOSTS  RARE  HISTORICAL  SOVIET  POSTERS  EXHIBIT  Opening  Reception  |  Friday,  March  13  @  City  College  Fine  Arts  Gallery  

San Diego, CA – March 7, 2015 - - - From March 13 to April 13, the San Diego City College Graphic Design Department will host Dialogues: Poster Art of the Soviet Union. To launch this exhibition of rare historical Soviet posters and contemporary works, the public is invited to a free, opening reception on Friday, March 13 from 6 – 9 p.m. in the new City College Fine Arts Gallery. The evening will also feature Russian speaking historical figures in costume, a dance performance and live on site silk screening.

In 1989, the Soviet Union government offered the United States a unique opportunity to view Soviet life through an exhibit of contemporary Soviet posters. Depicting political themes, social issues and the arts from the time of Perestroika and Glasnost, the posters were originally displayed at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art. Organized by members of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) San Diego chapter and supported by a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts, the show traveled to other U.S. locations. When the Soviet communist bloc dissolved, the posters were given to AIGA and then purchased by a private collector Ron Miriello. Mr. Miriello is loaning the historical posters to San Diego City College for this special show.

City College President Anthony Beebe said, “To host this rare exhibition at City College really speaks to the quality and professionalism of our Graphic Design, Visual Arts and History programs. Professor Lopez and her team have brought together a remarkable collective of artistic talent for this landmark exhibit.”

Candice Lopez, head of the City College Graphic Design program, along with adjunct professor Sean Bacon and the faculty in the Visual and Performing Arts and History programs worked for six months to develop and bring this exhibit to City College.

Lopez shared, “What makes this exhibit so unique is the dialogue between rare historical works and contemporary posters. The new pieces deal with current issues related to this region.”

ABOUT THE EXHIBIT: Dialogues: Soviet Poster Art In 2015, Dialogues: Soviet Poster Art was created and organized by the faculty and students of the San Diego City College Graphic Design program. In the exhibit, historical Soviet posters are featured alongside new works created by contemporary artists, designers and illustrators for Dialogues.

Like their historical counterparts, the contemporary works feature current political, social and arts themes and include a visual or conceptual reference to Soviet culture. Created by well-known artists, illustrators and designers, their works will be available for sale as prints on demand.

The exhibition is dedicated to Professor Doyald Young and all proceeds go to fund the Doyald Young Graphic Design Resource Room at San Diego City College.

Featured contemporary posters in this show include the work of Sean Adams, AIGA National President, Michael Beirut, Gary Benzel, Stefan Bucher, Maximo Escobedo, Jennifer Hewitson, Josh Higgins, Jessica Hische, Don Hollis, Amy Levine, MaeLin Levine, Rafael López, Steven Morris, Joel Nakamura, Fabrizio Scippa, Joel Sotelo, Michael Osborne and others.

Dialogues: Poster Art of the Soviet Union San Diego City College Fine Arts Gallery Opening Reception: Friday, March 13, 2015 | 6 – 9 p.m Ongoing Exhibition: March 13 to April 13 1508 C Street | AH 314 Parking: Free Reception parking | MS Parking Garage | Entry on 15th or 16th Street off of C Street For updates about the show: https://www.facebook.com/sdcitygd

About the City College Graphic Design Department | www.sdcity.edu/GraphicDesign Through the awarding winning Graphic Design department, students can graduate with an Associate’s Degree or Graphic Design Certificate and become employed as graphic designers, art directors, and interactive designers. Many City College design students are employed at advertising agencies, graphic design studios or work as freelance designers. City College Graphic Design Alumnus, Josh Higgins, served as the Design Director for President Obama's Re-Election Campaign and is now the Design Director at Facebook. He has created one of the contemporary posters for this show called Love is Love.

Lopez has contributed to the arts in many ways. She is an AIGA fellow, founder of the Urban Art Trail project and has previously served as the Arts and Culture chair for the San Diego downtown vision plan.

About San Diego City College Celebrating its 100th Anniversary in 2014, San Diego City College serves as the educational cornerstone of downtown San Diego. With more than 16,000 students, City College offers 200+ Associate Degrees and Certificates and 1,500 day, evening and weekend classes. City College is part of the San Diego Community College District (SDCCD), the second-largest of California’s 72 community college districts, comprised of San Diego City College, Mesa College, Miramar College and Continuing Education. For more information, visit: www.sdcity.edu.