Screen-printed posters by Steve Walters, [ca. 1996-2005]

  • Collection ID 2006.0026.2-47
  • Creator Names Walters, Steve. art
  • Title Screen-printed posters by Steve Walters [graphic].
  • Dates [ca. 1996-2005]
  • Physical description 47 screen-printed posters : col. ; 28 x 20 in. and smaller.
  • Collection summary Posters by Steve Walters of Screwball Press (Chicago, Ill.) to promote musical groups, including the Faith Healers, Appetite for Distraction, The Handsome Family, Pavement, the Jesus Lizard, The Zombies, Los Straightjackets, Wilco, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Kelly Kessler, Split Lip Rayfield, and Califone.
  • Biographical or Historical Note Steve Walters was central to a resurgent interest in screen-printing by artists involved with Chicago's burgeoning alternative music (or independent rock music) scene during the late 1990s-early 2000s, a period when Chicago-based recording labels increasingly gave opportunities to little-known bands and artists. In 1991, Walters opened Screwball Press, a printing venture specializing in the production of fliers, posters, CD covers, and other items for Chicago's independent rock music community. Walters began printing for the local entertainment venue, the Lounge-Ax. By 1993, Screwball Press was printing posters for nationally known musical groups and major record labels. Screwball Press operated on a small scale until the studio reopened in a larger space in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood in 2003. Screwball Press served as a training ground for other artists interested in traditional screen-printing techniques. One result has been thriving and collaborative networks of artists invested in the idea of elevating ephemeral objects, such as the poster, to high works of art.
  • Terms Governing Use and Reproduction Reproductions must include the original image in its entirety. The image may not be cropped, altered, or manipulated for any purpose. In addition, Chicago History Museum may not license reproductions for any commercial purpose.
  • Acquisition information Gift of Steve Walters (2006.0026.2-47).
  • Location of Other Archival Materials Note Related materials at Chicago History Museum, Research Center, include screen-printed posters by these artists: by Billy Bauman (2006.0010.1-14); by Mike Benedetto (2006.0011.1-7); by Anne Benjamin (2006.0012.1); by Nick Butcher (2006.0013.1-10); by Lauren Castady (2006.0014.1-6); by Mat Daley (2006.0015. 1-13); by Ethan D'Ercole (2006.0016.1-20); by Jason Frederick (2006.0017.1-7); by Dan Grzeca (2006.0018.1-20); by David Head (2006.0019.1-14); by Keith Herzik (2006.0020.1-92); by Kathleen Judge (2006.0021.1-43); by Mile 44, Stacy Curtis, and Dave Windisch (2006.0022.1-16); by Steve Sleeve Reidell (2006.0024.1-12); by Jay Ryan (2006.0025.1-16); by Diana Sudyka (2006.0027.1-5); by Evan Sult (2006.0028.1-14); by Kristen Thiele (2006.0023.1-21).
  • Names
    • Walters, Steve.
    • Screwball Press (Chicago, Ill.)
    • Screwball Press (Chicago, Ill.), printer. prn
  • Subjects
    • Musicians Illinois Chicago Metropolitan Area 1990-2009. lctgm
    • Concerts Illinois Chicago Metropolitan Area 1990-2009. lctgm
    • Rock music Illinois Chicago Metropolitan Area 1990-2009. lctgm
    • Artists Illinois Chicago Metropolitan Area 21st century.
    • Printers Illinois Chicago Metropolitan Area 21st century.
  • Geographic coverage
    • Chicago (Ill.) Social life and customs 21st century.
    • Wicker Park (Chicago, Ill.) Intellectual life 21st century.
    • West Town (Chicago, Ill.)
  • Genre
    • Posters. gmgpc
    • Screen prints. gmgpc
  • Geographic name United States Illinois Cook County Chicago.