“Chuck Sperry: Archetypes”
Fort Wayne Museum of Art
April 25, 2026 – August 09, 2026
Opening: April 24, 6:30 to 9 pm
FORT WAYNE MUSEUM OF ART is proud to present Chuck Sperry: Archetypes, a watershed exhibition devoted to the artist’s decades long exploration of the archetypes of Greek mythology. The exhibit serves as a visual dialogue with the ideals that helped to shape the philosophical foundations of American democracy.
Finally, the public will get a comprehensive museum exhibition of 100+ of Sperry’s world renown original screen printed wood panels, an exciting debut of new large-format hand-woven tapestries, and premier release of Sperry’s new 680 page art compendium Archetypes, The Sperry Art Print Archive 2009-2026.
Today as democratic principles are being challenged, Sperry dives headlong into the controversy: “I try to show that democracy is a living process,” says Chuck Sperry. “It begins with ideals, descends into the depths of our human challenges, and rises again into the shared garden of possibility. My archetypes guide us through these realms, reminding us that democracy is not static—it is radical and transformative—a continual passage, a communal stewardship, a utopian experiment we carry forward.”
Celebrating Sperry’s counter-cultural roots, and mapping his progress print by print from the street art and concert poster worlds, Archetypes is a complete exhibition of decades of the influential artist’s art print work; it follows his trajectory from master poster designer and printmaker to art world phenomenon. Sperry’s images are recognized the world over, and parallel to his achievement of mainstream recognition, his history of social engagement and mythic exploration is illuminated by the scores of technically virtuosic pieces presented in Archetypes. This exhibition is the most complete display of them to date. All the works shown in the exhibition will join Chuck Sperry’s Archive in FWMoA’s Permanent Collection.
Beginning in 2009, many of Sperry’s prints have featured images of muses from Greek mythology. His involvement in the Equal Rights Amendment movement as an ally has helped to amplify the message of equal rights for women, creating posters for Artists 4 ERA, Vote Equality, and the Center For Common Ground, and created three posters for the Women’s March movement in 2017, 2018, and 2019.
Sperry adds, “My posters and prints circulate through music venues, festivals, protests, and community gatherings like ritual objects—seeds sown across a cultural landscape. They carry archetypal meaning into shared spaces, encouraging viewers to see themselves as participants in this ongoing democratic experiment.”
“Through the years my work has become a multi-various host of archetypes which unfolded organically through a long series of art prints. Archetypes is the synthesis of this journey: the illuminating path connecting personal and social catharsis,” says Chuck Sperry. “I believe that the gods and goddesses are attributes of the mind. What may appear on the face of things like a variety of pagan reverence is really a celebration of the human spirit.”
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Offerings:
New panels editions of 30: Juno, Courage, Pseudea, Iphigenia, Soeurs Jumelles, Danaïde, Love
A selection of archive wood panels
2 new Sperry Collectible Art Card sets
Paper prints:
Empathy (Oversize) 2025, edition of 200
Courage (Oversize) 2025, edition of 200
Midsummer Night’s Dream 2026, edition of 300 (variants: Gold, Sparkle foil, Lava foil)
World Premier of Sperry’s new 680 page art book: Archetypes, The Sperry Art Print Archive 2009-2026
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Opening:
April 24, 6:30pm – Opening and Art Print Releases
At this event, celebrate opening night of Chuck Sperry’s retrospective exhibition “Archetypes”.
April 25, 11am – Artist and Curator Panel Discussion
Artist Chuck Sperry and FWMoA Curator of Contemporary Art Josef Zimmerman, will speak on Sperry’s illustrious career and his most recent work.
April 25, 1-6pm – Book Signing with Chuck Sperry / Midsummer Night’s Dream Release starting at 4 pm.
Included with FWMoA admission. No special tickets required.
One may purchase books at the Opening and Sale on April 24, or at the Book Signing.
About the Artist:
Chuck Sperry is a San Francisco-based artist whose work is held in the permanent collections of the Library of Congress, The Achenbach Foundation for the Graphic Arts (FAMSF), Fort Wayne Museum of Art and SFMOMA. His work remains a vital touchstone for the humanist spirit of democracy, proving that beauty is a fundamental tool for social empowerment.
About Archetypes, The Sperry Art Print Archive 2009-2026:
Details: Hardcover, 680 pages, (12 lbs. 11 x 13 x 2.25) documenting the intersection of Greek mythology, urban art, and social engagement.
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