[Michlib-l] Every person a Picasso; Talk looks back at Paint by Number craze

[Kelly Rembert]

Southfield Historical Society
26082 Berg Road  •  Southfield, MI  48033
 
 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2014
 
Every person a Picasso; Talk looks back at Paint by Number craze
 
Paint by Numbers, a craft fad that became popular in the 1950s, is the
subject of the May 22nd program of the Southfield Historical Society. 
The Paint by Numbers kits were developed by Max Klein of the Palmer
Paint Company of Detroit and commercial artist Dan Robbins. 
 
Following World War II Americans found themselves with more leisure
time due to  the move to a 40-hour work week and the rise in modern
conveniences.  In turn, people had more time to pursue travel, hobbies,
sports and crafts. The “how to” craze took hold.  Among the most popular
was Paint by Number. Over 12 million kits were sold. 
 
Today, the kits and paintings are highly collectable and have made
their way into the Smithsonian and the Museum of Modern Art.  While
there are a number of imitators, vintage kits and paintings can still be
found at yard sales and on Amazon.com and eBay.
 
Southfield resident Skip Davis, one of the nation’s leading collectors
of Paint by Number paintings, will present numerous pieces from his
collection and give an overview of this “how to” craze.  Davis is a
long-time friend of Dan Robbins.
 
The Paint by Numbers program will be held on Thursday, May 22 at 7pm in
the Historic Church at the Southfield Burgh (Civic Center Drive & Berg
Road).
 
Tickets are $5, payable at the door, or admission is free with
Southfield Historical Society membership of $8 (student/senior) or $10
(individual). The public is invited to attend.
 
###
 Kelly Ireland Rembert
Outreach Librarian
Southfield Public Library
26300 Evergreen Rd.
Southfield, MI 48076

(248) 796-4367
krembert at southfieldlibrary.org
www.southfieldlibrary.org
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mail3.mcls.org/pipermail/michlib-l/attachments/20140515/d4b887db/attachment.html>