Unshakeable: Etch A Sketch Art Around the World, 1986-2024 is a collection of Etch A Sketch art created over a number of decades by some of the world's most renowned artists working in the medium. Artists include curator David Roberts, Cristoph Brown, Jane Labowitch, Kevin Davis, Bryan Madden, Jeff Gagliardi, Tim Gallenbeck, Samantha Watt, Carrie Johns, Mark Paich, Andrea Tilden, Kyle Fleming, Jillian Pagan, and Steve Hayden.
Since its release in 1960, the Etch A Sketch has been known as “The World’s Greatest Drawing Toy.” Entire generations have attempted to master it, only to be left frustrated by how difficult it is to draw anything more than straight lines and scribbles. The task of using both hands simultaneously to manipulate the iconic white knobs has simply proven too daunting for the vast majority of the population. However, over the years a growing number of artists have unwittingly discovered that they have the patience, dexterity and imagination required to master the Etch A Sketch.
Through countless hours of practice, these artists have devised ways to integrate traditional artistic methods into their work, such as value, texture and line. They’ve broken other barriers inherent to the device as well by breaking up the line and adding color. They’ve worked tirelessly to discover methods of dissecting the toy and removing its contents in order to preserve their precious handiwork. Through their efforts, they’ve managed to transform a toy meant for creating and quickly erasing rudimentary drawings into a legitimate artistic medium used to create permanent, masterful works of art.
Now, 23 of the most prolific of these artists have come together from around the world to present the largest and most comprehensive collection of preserved Etch A Sketch artwork to date. Spanning a period of five decades, their body of work represents a bona fide modern art movement. Their drawings include anything from simple cartoons, to recreations of classic paintings, to human portraiture and highly detailed architectural renderings. These artists have attracted enormous amounts of media attention across the U.S. and Canada. Their work has also reached millions of viewers across the globe via the internet, inspiring a sense of awe and wonder, and the knowledge that through play anything is possible.
On exhibit at West Charleston Library from October 29, 2024 through January 12, 2025
Gallery reception on Sunday, November 10, 2024 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Monday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Tuesday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Wednesday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Thursday: 10:00AM – 8:00PM
Friday: 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Saturday: 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Sunday: 10:00AM – 6:00PM
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