Howard Finster’s World Renowned Georgia Folk Art Travels To The Village Of Long Grove

LONG GROVE, IL (SEPTEMBER 2011)- The late Howard Finster was best known for his artwork gracing album covers such as R.E.M.'s ‘Reckoning’ and Talking Heads' ‘Little Creatures,’ as well as being the leader of the “outsider art” movement and one of the grandfathers of folk art. When Chicago gallery owner and art entrepreneur David Leonardis began working at an art gallery in the late 1980’s simply to support his Howard Finster folk art buying habit, little did he know he would ultimately befriend, collaborate and continue to support Finster’s vision beyond his death. Today, as curator of the Howard Finster Vision House in Georgia, where Finster saw a vision of God prompting him to create sacred art, and as the country’s largest collector and dealer of Finster’s art, it is with great pleasure Leonardis brings the “Howard Finster Vision House” traveling exhibit to the Village of Long Grove, September 15-January 31, 2012. Finster’s artwork is also viewable in the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., the American Folk Art Museum in NYC, the Library of Congress and major museums and collections around the world. 

In conjunction with the permanent Vision House Exhibit that’s located in Summerville, Georgia, this traveling exhibit will offer over 200 originals, prints and unfinished Finster pieces from his studio, as well as originals and signed limited edition silk screen prints for sale. Leonardis will also be hosting three receptions and lectures on September 16, October 21 and November 18. The receptions will begin at 5:30-7 pm and the lecture begins immediately at 7 pm at the Red School House located at 220 Robert Parker Coffin Road in Long Grove in the same building at the Long Grove Confectionary Co. His lecture series focuses on Finster’s vision and their working and personal relationship.

“In college, I owned the Talking Heads poster Finster created. I would have never imagined I would one day know and love the artist himself,” says Leonardis. “My admiration of Finster’s work grew when we met and I was privileged to get to know him personally. I am honored to keep his legacy alive in the hopes to share the values in his messages with admirers through this traveling exhibit, as well as my work restoring his permanent residence in Summerville, Georgia into the Vision House Museum.”

In 1976, as a retired preacher still deeply connected to God, Finster had a vision to paint sacred art. “And one day I was workin' on a patch job on a bicycle, and I was rubbin' some white paint on that patch with this finger here, and I looked at the round tip o' my finger, and there was a human face on it,” said Finster. …”Then a warm feelin' come over my body, and a voice spoke to me and said, 'Paint sacred art’…” And so he did. By combining text and visual messages, Finster’s art served evangelical purposes in nearly 50,000 pieces of art. Finster’s art has been described as “innocent art” by Leonardis as “Howard took icons of pop culture and icons on Christianity and blended them to make his messages relatable to the masses.”

Leonardis continues, “because Long Grove is such a unique community with a rich backdrop for community involvement and art, it’s the perfect location to allow Finster’s unique message to be spread.”

About Howard Finster
Howard Finster is the undisputed grandfather of modern American Visionary art. From his humble birth in 1915 in Valley Head Alabama to his passing in 2001, Finster is one of the most celebrated and prolific artists of the last century. Howard Finster is best known for his artwork gracing album covers such as R.E.M.'s Reckoning and Talking Heads' Little Creatures, which Rolling Stone named “Album Cover of the Year.”

About The Village of Long Grove
Recognized as one of the nation’s truly historic villages, and famous for their annual festivals, the Village of Long Grove also serves as a Midwest destination, known for its one-of-a-kind, unique shopping experience that cannot be duplicated. Only in Long Grove can one experience a charming, historic village abundant with unspoiled natural beauty, and a diverse collection of shops, restaurants and events, all supported by a genuine hospitality rarely found in urban environments. A 35 mile jaunt from Chicago, the Village of Long Grove is an experience not to be missed. Come visit, shop and dine in Long Grove… You’ll love it.