NEW ROCHELLE, NY — Exploring America’s Golden Age of Illustration and its impact on the WWI efforts, Professor George Fernandez will present a free digital slide program in the Ossie Davis Theater of the New Rochelle Public Library on Thursday, November 19, at 7:00 pm.
When the war broke in 1914, posters were already a powerful advertising tool. Four-color printing capabilities allowed them to be printed quickly and inexpensively—an ideal vehicle for spreading wartime propaganda. When the United States entered the war in April 1917, the country lost no time in producing more of these posters than any other single nation. The graphic works now provide a striking visual history of the time and sentiments of our country. A number of these posters were created by New Rochelle artists who were members of the New Rochelle Art Association, such as Howard Christy Chandler, Coles Phillips, and Joseph Leyendecker.
Professor Fernandez teaches at Farmingdale State College and is a member of the Society of Illustrators and the Museum of American Illustration at the Society of Illustrators Permanent Collection Committee.
Before the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to view the library’s exhibit, “Over There, Over Here: World War I Posters and New Rochelle’s Part in the Great War.” The exhibit includes twenty-two World War I posters loaned by private collectors, and archival photographs and items from the library’s local history collection, and is on view from November 10th – December 3rd, in the library’s Lumen Winter Gallery during regular library hours.
This program is presented in partnership with the New Rochelle Art Association and is made possible by the Friends of the New Rochelle Public Library.
