On Sunday, October 15th, 2023, Shelley Howard, a prolific graphic artist and ShelleyVision owner, passed away surrounded by his beloved family. His death was confirmed by Chicago History, which stated, "R.I.P. Chicago Legend Shelley Howard. Shelley Howard has been excelling and rising to every challenge time and again during a career that dates back to the late 1960s." Shelley Howard was a seasoned graphic artist in Chicago who established a remarkable career spanning over three decades. In this article, we will take a closer look at Shelley Howard's life and legacy.
Early Career
Shelley Howard's journey in the industry began in the early 1970s, where he delved into the fashion sector, crafting captivating advertisements and catalogs for the forefront boutiques and designers of Chicago at the time. Subsequently, after contributing to Triad Magazine, Shelley, along with Arny Granat and Jerry Mickelson from Jam Productions, co-founded Jam Magazine, thereby initiating a prolonged collaboration with Jam that has endured for over thirty years.
Creative Expertise
Within the Chicago scene, Shelley's creative expertise has left an indelible mark, as evidenced by his design work for prominent venues like The World Music Theatre (presently known as the Tweeter Center), Alpine Valley, Rosemont Horizon (currently recognized as the Allstate Arena), The Chicago Theatre, Aragon Ballroom, Park West, Riviera Theatre, Vic Theatre, and Metro. His artistic footprint extends beyond the confines of Chicago, reaching cities such as Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Madison, Omaha, Iowa, and various college towns across the Midwest. Notably, Shelley has contributed his design prowess to ad mats for esteemed performers such as Prince, Tom Petty, R.E.M., alongside numerous club acts and local bands.
Video Dancestand
During the 1980s, Shelley introduced the innovative concept of Video Dancestand, a pioneering showcase of music videos tailored for a vibrant dance-club audience. This groundbreaking initiative captivated audiences at distinguished venues including Park West, Metro, and Great America, drawing in thousands of enthusiasts each weekend. He was a stalwart within the club, concert, restaurant, and party circuit, his active involvement has been captured through candid photographs.
Conclusion
Shelley Howard was a Chicago legend whose creative expertise left an indelible mark on the city's graphic design scene. His contributions to the industry will be remembered for years to come. While his death is a great loss to the community, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of graphic artists.
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