Movie history plays itself out in a new piece of artwork installed on the ceiling in the Historic Howell Theater upper lobby. After purchasing tickets and Livingston County’s favorite popcorn, theatergoers will walk up the stairs to the upper lobby, where they can view this bit of movie history. The HHT is located at 315 E. Grand River Ave. in downtown Howell, Mich..
Artist Doug P’gosh says he was inspired by the surroundings in the HHT. Both he and HHT theater owner Tyler DePerro collaborated in selecting the famous faces depicted in the artwork. The centerpiece of the composition is George Melies’s “A Trip to the Moon.” This large circular artwork was a challenge for P’gosh because he felt the piece had to work for the viewer regardless of the direction from which it was approached. Some of the characters are always right side up to the viewer.
“When I purchased the theater in 2014, I realized this space was a feature of the theater that required something nostalgic and special,” DePerro said. “Doug’s work fits the circular space at the top of the stairs perfectly because it harkens back to the days when Drew Struzan and others created those wonderful posters so highly prized and appreciated by movie fans today.”
P’gosh began the process by pencil drawing each portrait. A process of painting and airbrushing produced the final piece. Each portrait and the moon were created separately, and then scanned into Photoshop, where the final composition was enhanced with stars and a nighttime cast.
For more on Doug P’gosh and his artwork, go to www.pgosh.com or visit him at Retro-a-go-go, 214 S. Michigan Ave., where he and his wife operate their store, which features original, unique, retro-inspired accessories for the modern life.
For HHT movie listings and events, visit www.historichowelltheater.com. People with a passion for movies will not want to miss this movie experience and the opportunity to see a unique piece of movie art.
