Charles Houska: Master of Play

Charles Houska: Master of Play is a retrospective of the artist’s work over his impressive 25+ year career in Saint Louis and beyond, including brand-new chess-themed commissions and an impressive 3-D printed chess set. Showcased inside an incredibly vibrant and immersive environment filled with his iconic floral, animal, and portrait motifs, this exhibition boasts more than 75 of Houska’s artworks. The show also explores Houska’s community projects and corporate collaborations with St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Herman Miller HQ, Absolut Vodka, and more.

Pop artist Charles Houska (pronounced House-ka) has been a working artist for more than 25 years. Houska Gallery, located in the Central West End neighborhood in Saint Louis, Missouri, has been the home base for his working studio as well as a space to showcase other regional artists.

Born and raised in Springfield, Illinois, Houska earned a bachelor’s degree in art/visual communication from Illinois State University in 1987. After working as a graphic designer in Chicago for a few years, he was pleasantly surprised to learn that people were responding to his artwork. He moved back to Springfield to concentrate on his paintings before ultimately landing in Saint Louis.

In addition to his paintings on canvas, Houska is known for larger works including murals and billboards. His graphics have appeared in a variety of forms, including credit cards, city mass transit buses, and even an Illinois license plate. Notable commissions from local and national clientele include major corporations: St. Louis Metro, St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Herman Miller HQ, Absolut Vodka, and BoS Bank of Springfield. Houska also markets a line of collectible merchandise in his online store, houskastore.com.

Perhaps one of Houska’s favorite projects is working with school-age children through a program he calls Houskaballoo, collaborating on mural projects in their schools. Houska also involves himself with charitable organizations, especially those dealing with animals, such as PAWS, Stray Rescue, and The Humane Society.

Bio

Pop-artist Charles Houska (pronounced House-ka) is a pillar in the arts after more than 30 years as a working artist and gallerist. In addition to his continuous studio practice, he has supported and cultivated the St. Louis art scene, contributing his iconic branded style. Houska made his mark in his hometown of Springfield, Illinois, returning to a full-time painting career, after earning a B.A. at Illinois State and working in Chicago as a graphic designer. Through painting, Houska’s vision began to materialize, soon becoming his namesake gallery in St. Louis, Missouri. Since opening the HouskaGallery in 1998, Charles was quick to gain attention, painting everything in sight, doing commissions, murals, and renovating the property as a grassroots entrepreneur. He has since been credited not only for creating his own hullabaloo, but being integral in launching careers and paving the way for many prominent artists in the city.

The World Chess Hall of Fame (WCHOF) is proud to collaborate with a fellow art institution in the Central West End to showcase the vibrant and whimsical work of Charles “Charlie” Houska (pronounced House-ka). His Houska Gallery, located just a few blocks north of the WCHOF at 4728 McPherson, serves as a creative hub for his distinctive, playful style.

For Charles Houska: Master of Play—on view through April 5, 2026—Houska has transformed the space into a lively “Fun House-ka,” featuring his signature bold outlines, bright colors, and recurring motifs of flowers, the sun, beloved pets, and, most notably, his iconic fish and fishbowls.

In a special collaboration, Houska has created original chess-themed artwork and characters for this exhibition, including an exclusive 3D-printed chess set that merges the artistic styles of both galleries. We are thrilled to debut this unique fusion of art and chess!