Tag: art exhibits

Reading Between the Lines: Chess & Literature Opens September 18 at the World Chess Hall of Fame

Exploring how the game of chess has inspired centuries of storytelling, from Lewis Carroll to Walter Tevis and beyond

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SAINT LOUIS (August 27, 2025) – The World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries (WCHOF), the leading chess cultural center in the country, is proud to announce the upcoming opening of its newest exhibition, Reading Between the Lines: Chess & Literature, which explores the powerful role chess has played in shaping stories of adventure, morality, imagination, and struggle across centuries. Featuring rare books, artwork, artifacts and literary-themed chess sets from the 18th century to the present, the exhibition opens on September 18, 2025, and will be on view through April 12, 2026.

“Kings and pawns, struggles for power, and tales of transformation—chess has always been more than a game. It is a language for telling human stories,” said Emily Allred, Curator, WCHOF. “This show highlights how authors, poets, and artists have drawn upon chess to explore themes of fate, identity and imagination.”

From Lewis Carroll’s fantastical Through the Looking-Glass to Vladimir Nabokov’s haunting The Defense and Walter Tevis’s modern classic The Queen’s Gambit, the exhibition reveals how authors have used chess as a means of exploring diverse themes. Visitors will discover:

Personal Connections

Treasured artifacts once owned by renowned writers, including a chess set that once belonged to Henry Ware Eliot, the father of T. S. Eliot, and was later inherited by the Saint Louis poet and loans from the family of Walter Tevis, including photos, a proof of The Queen’s Gambit, an inscribed copy of the book and a chess table that once belonged to the writer.

Iconic Literary Worlds

Rare illustrated editions of Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass from the collections of the Saint Louis Public Library and the Julian Edison Department of Special Collections, Washington University Libraries include artwork by renowned illustrators, including Barry Moser and Angel Domínguez.

Life and Death Games

Paintings from the Vinson Collection by J. Allen St. John show scenes from Edgar Rice Burroughs’s pulp classic The Chessmen of Mars. Elsewhere, other artists interpret Ambrose Bierce’s “Moxon’s Master,” and Kurt Vonnegut’s All the King’s Men, where the stakes on the board are survival itself.

Players and Prodigies

Works such as Vladimir Nabokov’s The Defense, Tevis’s The Queen’s Gambit, and German artist Elke Rehder’s woodcuts inspired by Stefan Zweig’s Chess Story illuminate the struggles of players against both opponents and inner turmoil. The exhibition also includes artifacts related to Kyla Zhao’s book, May the Best Player Win, which explores the story of a young female chess player.

Literary Chess Artwork

Alessandro Gallo’s Animal Farm, Jessica DeStefano’s Moby-Dick, and a set of Wedgwood Flaxman chessmen inspired by Shakespeare’s Macbeth show how artists have interpreted classic stories through the lens of chess.

The exhibition also highlights modern works, including N.K. Jemisin’s Far Sector, Nkosi Nkululeko’s “Square Poem: The Bishop,” and Oz Hukalowicz’s Psychosphere, showing how contemporary writers and artists continue to weave chess into narratives of identity, struggle, and connection.

“Since its invention in the 6th century, chess has been a mirror of human experience,” said Allred. “Reading Between the Lines invites visitors to see how stories across time—from medieval sermons to modern science fiction—have used the game to grapple with power, morality, and imagination.”

Reading Between the Lines: Chess & Literature will be accompanied by a reading area where people can explore more books as well as public programs, family activities, and special events designed to connect visitors of all ages with the literary legacy of the world’s most enduring game.

Opening Event

The Saint Louis community is invited to celebrate the grand opening of Reading Between the Lines: Chess & Literature on Thursday, September 18, 2025, from 5–8 p.m. for an unforgettable evening with complimentary admission, valet service, and special guests—the family of acclaimed author Walter Tevis. Don’t miss this chance to be part of a unique cultural moment. RSVP today at [email protected].

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Financial assistance for this project has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.

“Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition” brings centuries of chess innovation to life through interactive play and global artifacts

SAINT LOUIS (July 16, 2025) – The World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries (WCHOF), the leading chess cultural center in the country, is proud to announce its latest exhibition, “Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition,” an immersive, hands-on exploration of the global game’s evolution and the creative reimaginings that continue to shape it today. The exhibition will be on display from Aug. 7, 2025 through Apr. 19, 2026.

From ancient Persia to modern pop culture, “Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition” traces the history of chess and its many transformations over centuries. A vibrant timeline showcases theories on the game’s origins, how it changed as it spread across Asia and Europe, the introduction of the iconic Staunton pieces, and the development of today’s modern rules. The exhibition also highlights how cultures around the world adapted the game to reflect local customs, values, and innovations.

“Chess is one of the few games that has endured across continents and centuries—precisely because people continue to reinvent it,” said Shannon Bailey, Chief Curator of the WCHOF. “Our latest exhibition is about celebrating the tradition and honoring the transformation. It’s playful, surprising and educational—just like chess itself.”

“Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition” will feature artifacts from the WCHOF’s permanent collection, alongside loans from renowned collectors and historians. Contributors include Rick Knowlton (chess historian), John McCrary (chess historian), Myron Samsin (chess historian), Jon Crumiller (chess collector), Laszlo and Klara Polgar (parents of the world-renowned Polgár sisters and creators of Starchess), Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan and Jonathan Guillaume (New Orleans artist), each bringing a unique perspective to the exhibition. A special section is dedicated to Starchess, an inventive variant created by Laszlo Polgar, featuring rare photographs, patents, and boards on loan from the Polgar family.

Exhibition highlights include:

• An original antique Jaques of London Staunton Set and Casket
• Invented in 2007 by GM Yasser Seirawan and FM Bruce Harper, Seirawan Chess is a variant that adds two new hybrid pieces—the Elephant (rook+knight) and the Hawk (bishop+knight)—which can be “dropped” onto the board after a piece moves, creating fresh tactical possibilities on a standard 8×8 board.
• The 2013 Sinquefield Cup Limited Edition Set and Box by The House of Staunton
• A display of Asian chess variants including Janggi, Xiangqi, and Shogi
• A rich archive of photographs from the 1950s to the present showing variant play
• Pop culture chess sets inspired by Star Trek and Star Wars
• A display dedicated to Polgar Starchess
• Photos from previous iconic Chess 9LX matches
• A modern variant by Dr. Tim Paulden where a rubber duck blocks squares and must be moved after each turn—removing check and checkmate for a playful, tactical twist. “It’s just chess… but with a duck!”

Each area introduces visitors to multiple examples of chess variants within its category, featuring rule guides, play demonstrations, and historical context. Visitors are encouraged to sit and engage directly with each type, turning the museum into a living, playable chessboard.

The exhibition’s flexible layout, with movable walls in the center gallery, allows for ongoing programming including variant tournaments, live lessons, and family play sessions, ensuring a dynamic, ever-changing experience.

Admission is always free and open to the public. For more information about the exhibition and programming, please visit our website at worldchesshof.org. The Saint Louis community is invited to the opening reception of “Chess Variants: Transforming Tradition” on Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. Step into a vibrant gallery filled with rare chess sets and playable variants that challenge the traditional rules—from alternate starting positions to multiplayer boards. Complimentary admission and valet. Click HERE to RSVP.

An Immersive Retrospective from One of Saint Louis’s Most Iconic Pop Artists

SAINT LOUIS (April 17, 2025) – The World Chess Hall of Fame & Galleries (WCHOF), the leading chess cultural center in the country, will present “Charles Houska: Master of Play,” a joyful and colorful retrospective celebrating the vibrant, whimsical world of Charles “Charlie” Houska—one of Saint Louis’s most beloved pop artists. On view from May 1, 2025, through April 5, 2026, this exhibition marks the artist’s 60th birthday and the 25th anniversary of his Central West End-based Houska Gallery.

Curated by WCHOF Chief Curator Shannon Bailey, “Master of Play” invites visitors into a visually immersive environment featuring more than 75 works spanning Houska’s remarkable 30+ year career. Known for his bold outlines, vivid palettes, and joyful portrayals of animals, portraits, and nature, Houska’s work brings a sense of optimism and fun to every canvas—and now, to the game of chess.

“This retrospective recognition by the WCHOF is such an amazing honor,” said Houska. “As an artist, the privilege and opportunity of putting it all together has been so fulfilling.”

 In a special collaboration with the WCHOF, Houska has created brand-new chess-themed commissions, including an imaginative, exclusive 3D-printed chess set, glow-in-the-dark pieces showcased in a blacklight gallery space, and custom outdoor vinyl installations that extend the exhibition beyond the gallery walls “Charlie has turned the gallery into a ‘Fun House-ka,” said Bailey. “It’s a celebration not only of his artistic evolution but of his ongoing dedication to community, creativity and joy.”

Exhibition Highlights

The exhibition highlights key themes and milestones in Houska’s life, from his early influences—Andy Warhol and Keith Haring—to his transition from graphic designer to full-time artist. It also chronicles his impactful collaborations with organizations like St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Herman Miller HQ and Absolut Vodka. Through mural projects in schools and support of animal welfare groups like PAWS and Stray Rescue, Houska’s legacy extends well beyond gallery walls.

Visit the Exhibition

Visitors will also discover personal reflections, testimonials from fellow artists, and loaned works from more than 25 collectors. From his iconic fish motifs to his Foo Dog and Day of the Dead series, “Master of Play” offers a vibrant and heartfelt portrait of an artist who has made an indelible mark on Saint Louis and the broader world of contemporary art. The Saint Louis community is invited to the opening reception of “Master of Play” on Thursday, May 1, 2025, from 5 to 8 p.m. Meet the artist, peruse the immersive exhibition, and enjoy appetizers and fishbowl cocktails by Brennan’s. Bring your young artists to our Play and Create Space, complete with poster-sized coloring pages of Houska’s work, face painting by Circus Kaput and open, all-level chess play with a grandmaster! Complimentary admission and valet.

This year they are celebrating the legacy of Keith Haring in its newest exhibition, Keith Haring: Radiant Gambit. Haring was a popular American pop and graffiti artist known for his colorful work 1980s.

“Most people know him by his iconic motifs such as the radiant baby and the barking dog,” said Shannon Bailey Chief Curator at The World Chess Hall of Fame.

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This year they are celebrating the legacy of Keith Haring in its newest exhibition, Keith Haring: Radiant Gambit. Haring was a popular American pop and graffiti artist known for his colorful work 1980s.

Read More…

Keith Haring is baring all. In a 1986 Annie Leibovitz photograph, the late pop artist, famous for his public art in 1980s New York City, stands in a studio space staged to look like a living room. He’s covered the white walls with black graffiti-like symbols—and he’s painted himself as well. Haring is stark naked, his body covered in dark lines that nearly camouflage him against the background. Haring and Leibovitz decided to take the show on the road, the story goes, walking to Times Square so the photographer could capture the artist’s portrait outside. In the winter. The police officers patrolling the area didn’t pay them any attention, she later recalled.

This is one of the stories Shannon Bailey, chief curator of the World Chess Hall of Fame, tells to illustrate a point: Haring existed exactly when he was supposed to—but not just because it’s impossible to think of him without conjuring images of graffiti on the NYC subways or the artist bopping around with Basquiat and Warhol. Haring’s work raised awareness of AIDS and the anti-apartheid movement. And as revealed in “Keith Haring: Radiant Gambit,” an exhibit of his pieces at the WCHOF, his works are still relevant today.

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