Mailed & Mounted

The Anton Art Center has been using Adobe software to design all our print material, predominately exhibition announcements which consist of at least one full-color invitation monthly. Recently, we promoted a two-part show called “Mailed and Mounted”.

The “Mailed” exhibition featured over 1,100 postcard sized works of art that were mailed to the Anton Art Center from all over the world, as far away as Germany, Finland and Japan. We received drawings, paintings, prints, photographs, collages, and mixed media works made of twist ties, found objects, wood and fiber from artists of all ages. Each piece was available for purchase during the exhibition for $20, with all proceeds benefiting the center’s programming. Artist Abbigail Israelsen of Ann Arbor, Michigan was awarded Best of Show. Her entry, an original intaglio print served as the design for a collection of folded note cards currently for sale in the center’s gift shop. The exhibit was such a huge success; it will continue to be an annual event in our galleries.

The “Mounted” exhibition was an all-media invitational focusing on themes of taxidermy, mounting and trophy including 14 artists from across the country. This exhibition dealt with the popularity of taxidermy and animal imagery in today’s art world. Each of the participating artists uses this similar aesthetic to convey varying concepts such as kitsch, romance, horror, comedy, animal rights, tradition, status and strength.

Adobe’s allowed us to fully communicate the two-part nature of the show in a clever way, with the left side of the invitation dedicated to Mailed and the right to Mounted. The text and imagery are notably different which provide a pleasing yet distinct contrast with considerable impact. Alison Wong, the Anton Art Center’s Exhibition Coordinator, is a talented artist, and Adobe’s software donation allows her to express her ideas clearly and easily.

“Mailed & Mounted” drew thousands of people to the center. The remarkable aspect of this exhibition is the relationship between the two shows, bringing together audiences that might not have come out to see the other, showing the power of art and its importance in our society. “Mailed” opened up our gallery walls to the community, inviting anyone and everyone to participate while presenting an unusual conceptual approach taken in “Mounted”. The striking design of the exhibition invitation prompted lots of inquires and discussions, ultimately leading people to visit the center. The show dramatically increased our visibility and the range of artists we work with. For example, Abbi Israelsen has since participated in following exhibitions. Others who first heard of us as we promoted “Mailed & Mounted” have also become active as new members, exhibiting artists, donors, volunteers and faithful supporters.

A great exhibition idea is one thing – getting people out to see the exhibition is another. Eye-catching design makes an exhibition invitation stand out in the mail, on a bulletin board or in a display rack. Adobe’s software donation gives us the tools we need to successfully promote and express what a show is all about.