Pinball Oddity: rare pinball games and oversized reproductions of pinball art May 11, 2012

The Pacific Pinball Museum proudly announces the opening of Pinball Oddity, an exhibition of extremely rare historic pinball games from the museum’s extended collection. Accompanying the games on display will be a sampling of the museum’s famed oversized acrylic paintings that reproduce art from various games. PPM has teamed up with RCW to produce the show in a celebration of the cultural art center’s fifth anniversary. As both groups seek to build strong community partnerships, the exhibit furthers the missions of both the Alameda-based non-profits.

The opening reception takes place May 11 from 6 to 9 pm at Rhythmix Cultural Works’ K Gallery, 2513 Blanding Avenue in Alameda and is free and open to the public. Pinball Oddity features rare and unusual pinball games from the museum’s collection and pinball back glass murals by Alameda-based artists d’Arci Bruno, Ed Cassel, Eric J. Kos and San Rafael-based artist Dan Fontes.

As most pinball games were simply thrown away and replaced with newer ones, machines from the 1930s, ‘40s and ‘50s are increasingly valued for their originality and rarity. Among the machines on display (but not available to play) will be what is thought to be the world’s only surviving copy of Cargo, the Bay Area-themed Sky Rocket and a Korean War-era celebration of patriotism: Paratroopers.

Four hand-painted large-scale acrylic reproductions of pinball back glass art will also be on display. These skillfully produced murals preserve their respective game’s individuality: Sea Ray, Jungle Princess, 2001 and Mermaid will be shown.

PPM is a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching science, art and history through pinball and preserving and promoting one of America’s great pastimes.

High Five! Rhythmix Cultural Works (RCW) has established itself in the East Bay community for five years since opening its doors in 2007 as a community arts center to bring people of all ages together for a wide range of high quality arts experiences. Only five minutes from downtown Oakland (just off Hwy 880 @ Fruitvale), RCW offers affordable space for live performances, exhibitions, arts education and cultural exchange for youth, families and adults. By providing a range of exhibits, workshops, classes and performances, RCW supports local, regional and international artists in the presentation of their work and strives to encourage community awareness through participation in the arts. Plenty of free parking is available.

Media Contact: Melissa Harmon
510.205.6959
[email protected]
www.pacificpinball.org