# PINBALL ARTWORK EXHIBITION OPENS

**Source:** Pinball News Website  
**Type:** article  
**Published:** 2016-09-12  
**Beat:** Pinball

**URL:** https://www.pinballnews.com/site/2016/09/12/pinball-artwork-exhibition-opens

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## Analysis

A pinball artwork exhibition titled 'Skillshot, The Collaborative Art of Pinball' opened at Glass Curtain Gallery in Columbia College, Chicago on September 6, 2016, running through November 5. The exhibition features playfield and backglass artwork from Stern Pinball titles, including work by artists Greg Freres, Kevin O'Connor, Donny Gillies, Jeremy Packer, and George Gomez, plus nine playable pinball machines (six recent Stern titles and three Bally/Williams classics) available on free play.

### Key Claims

- [HIGH] The exhibition runs from September 6 to November 5, 2016 — _Article header and opening paragraphs state opening date of September 6th and closing date of November 5th_
- [HIGH] Nine pinball machines are available on free play at the exhibition: six recent Stern titles and three Bally/Williams classics — _Article explicitly lists the nine machines available for play_
- [HIGH] Artwork on display includes work by Stern Pinball artists Greg Freres, Kevin O'Connor, Donny Gillies, Jeremy Packer, and George Gomez — _Article names these artists as featured contributors to the exhibition_
- [MEDIUM] Gary Stern has stated that the pinball industry will eventually die unless machines are out where people can play them — _Article author references interviews with Gary Stern on this topic_
- [HIGH] Exhibit curator Mark Porter and his wife Kate are big pinball fans, and the exhibition idea came from Mark's personal enthusiasm — _Direct quote from curator interview in article_

### Notable Quotes

> "Mark told me that the idea for a pinball-themed exhibition came from his personal enthusiasm for pinball machines."
> — **[name withheld pending review]**
> _Establishes the curatorial motivation and personal passion driving the exhibition_

> "I have seen interviews with Gary Stern in which he states that the pinball industry will eventually die unless the machines are out where people can play them."
> — **[name withheld pending review]**
> _Reflects industry leadership perspective on pinball market viability and the importance of public access to machines_

> "It is very clever of Stern Pinball to support a pinball exhibition in a college building. There's a large number of young people that will be exposed to the exhibits and hopefully they will see how much fun they are, and then will play pins in the future."
> — **[name withheld pending review]**
> _Commentary on Stern Pinball's strategic support for market growth through cultural institutions and youth exposure_

> "The highlight of the exhibition for me was seeing the playfield development drawings of Medieval Madness by Greg Freres. It was fascinating to see the details progress in the multiple drawings."
> — **[name withheld pending review]**
> _Highlights the value of seeing design process and evolution, demonstrating collector/fan appreciation for designer craft_

### Entities

| Name | Type | Context |
|------|------|---------|
| Glass Curtain Gallery | organization | Exhibition venue inside Columbia College, 1104 S. Wabash, Chicago, Illinois; hosts the Skillshot pinball exhibition |
| Columbia College | organization | Educational institution in Chicago housing the Glass Curtain Gallery exhibition space |
| Skillshot: The Collaborative Art of Pinball | event | Pinball artwork exhibition running September 6 – November 5, 2016 at Glass Curtain Gallery, Chicago |
| Stern Pinball | company | Pinball manufacturer whose recent titles and artist work are featured prominently in the exhibition; supported the show |
| Greg Freres | person | Stern Pinball artist; artwork featured in exhibition including Medieval Madness playfield development drawings |
| Kevin O'Connor | person | Artist at Stern Pinball; significant Kiss artwork on display at the exhibition |
| Donny Gillies | person | Artist (known as Dirty Donny) at Stern Pinball; Beatniks backglass and other pinball artwork featured in exhibition |
| Jeremy Packer | person | Artist (known as Zombie Yeti) at Stern Pinball; artwork featured in the exhibition |
| George Gomez | person | Pinball designer at Stern Pinball; Monster Bash design drawings featured in the exhibition |
| Doug Watson | person | Artist whose Barracuda artwork (before it became Barracora) is displayed in the exhibition |
| Mark Porter | person | Curator of Skillshot exhibition at Glass Curtain Gallery; pinball enthusiast whose personal passion initiated the exhibition |
| Kate Porter | person | Wife of Mark Porter; fellow pinball fan who supports the exhibition |
| Gary Stern | person | Leadership at Stern Pinball; has stated in interviews that pinball industry viability depends on public access to machines |
| Spider-Man (Vault Edition) | game | Stern Pinball title available for free play at the exhibition |
| The Walking Dead | game | Stern Pinball title available for free play at the exhibition |
| Ghostbusters | game | Stern Pinball title available for free play at the exhibition; artwork development featured |
| Game of Thrones (LE) | game | Stern Pinball Limited Edition title available for free play at the exhibition |
| Metallica | game | Stern Pinball title available for free play at the exhibition |
| Kiss | game | Both Stern and Bally versions available for free play at the exhibition; significant Kevin O'Connor artwork on display |
| Sorcerer | game | Williams classic available for free play at the exhibition |
| Dolly Parton | game | Bally classic available for free play at the exhibition |
| Medieval Madness | game | Williams/Stern pinball title; playfield development drawings by Greg Freres featured prominently in exhibition |
| Bally | company | Historic pinball manufacturer; classic titles represented in exhibition's playable machines |
| Williams | company | Historic pinball manufacturer; classic titles represented in exhibition's playable machines |

### Signals

- **[event_signal]** Large-scale pinball artwork exhibition opened at prestigious educational institution (Columbia College, Chicago) with curatorial support and free public access (confidence: high) — Skillshot exhibition at Glass Curtain Gallery running Sept 6 – Nov 5, 2016; free admission; nine playable machines; focus on pinball as fine art and cultural medium
- **[business_signal]** Stern Pinball demonstrating strategic support for pinball market growth through cultural institutions and youth exposure initiatives (confidence: high) — Stern artists and recent titles featured prominently; exhibition held at college venue with large student population; aligns with Gary Stern's stated philosophy on market viability
- **[content_signal]** Pinball being positioned and exhibited as legitimate collaborative fine art form with emphasis on designer and artist contributions (confidence: high) — Exhibition titled 'The Collaborative Art of Pinball'; focused display of artwork development process; featured individual artists; playfield and backglass art as primary exhibit content
- **[design_philosophy]** Exhibition showcases design process and artistic evolution through development drawings and prototypes, demonstrating collaborative nature of pinball creation (confidence: high) — Multiple artwork development drawings on display; Medieval Madness playfield progression shown; prototype sculptures exhibited; emphasis on artist contributions from Gomez, Freres, O'Connor, Gillies, etc.
- **[community_signal]** Community enthusiasm driving exhibition creation; curator Mark Porter's personal passion for pinball as curatorial motivation (confidence: high) — Mark Porter and wife Kate identified as big pinball fans; article states idea came from Mark's personal enthusiasm; exhibition established through Columbia College relationship
- **[market_signal]** Emphasis on public access and player experience as critical to pinball industry viability; exhibition providing free play exposure to potential future players (confidence: high) — Gary Stern quoted on industry dying without public access; exhibition in college building targeting young demographics; nine free-to-play machines; article author notes Stern's strategic support for youth exposure
- **[venue_signal]** Pinball exhibition established in educational/cultural institution rather than traditional arcade or collector venues (confidence: high) — Located at Columbia College art gallery; positioned as collaborative art exhibition; targeted at student and general art-interested population alongside pinball enthusiasts

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## Transcript

**Date:**
12th September, 2016

**Location:**
Glass Curtain Gallery, Columbia College, 1104 S. Wabash., Chicago, Illinois, USA

A new pinball exhibition, *Skillshot, The Collaborative Art of Pinball* opened in downtown Chicago on September 6th and runs through November 5th.

The exhibition is at the Glass Curtain Gallery inside the Columbia College building at 1104 S. Wabash. It is open daily and admission is free. Check [their website](http://students.colum.edu/deps/glass-curtain-gallery/exhibitions/skillshot,-the-collaborative-art-of-pinball/index.php) for hours of operation.

[![Entrance to the Glass Curtain Gallery](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/1.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/1.jpg)

The entrance to the Glass Curtain Gallery

[![Graphics for the exhibition](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/2.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/2.jpg)

Graphics for the exhibition

The exhibition’s main focus is on the artwork created for pinball machines. Various playfield and backglass artworks are on display at the gallery.

[![A row of various playfields](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/4.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/4.jpg)

A row of various playfields

[![A collection of backbox art](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/6.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/6.jpg)

A collection of backbox art

The development of the artwork for some recent Stern Pinball titles is featured. Quite a bit of the artwork on display is by the venerable artists and designers Stern Pinball employs, such as Greg Freres, Kevin O’Connor, Donny Gillies (Dirty Donny), Jeremy Packer (Zombie Yeti) and George Gomez.

[![Lots of Kevin O’Connor’s Kiss artwork is on display](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/12.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/12.jpg)

Lots of Kevin O’Connor’s Kiss artwork is on display

[![Pinball artwork from Donny Gillies (Dirty Donny)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/7.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/7.jpg)

Pinball artwork from Donny Gillies (Dirty Donny)

[![A close up Donny Gillies (Dirty Donny)’s Beatniks backglass](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/8.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/8.jpg)

A close-up Donny Gillies (Dirty Donny)’s Beatniks backglass

[![Artwork development for Ghostbusters](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/15.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/15.jpg)

Artwork development for Ghostbusters

[![Add-on interior cabinet art and body armor on Ghostbusters](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/16.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/16.jpg)

Add-on interior cabinet art and body armor on Ghostbusters

[![A drawing from George Gomez for the Monster Bash game](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/14.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/14.jpg)

A drawing from George Gomez for the Monster Bash game

[![Prototype sculptures for some newer Stern pinballs](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/13.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/13.jpg)

Prototype sculptures for some newer Stern pinballs

The exhibit curator Mark Porter and his wife Kate are both big pinball fans. Mark told me that the idea for a pinball-themed exhibition came from his personal enthusiasm for pinball machines.

[![Artwork from Doug Watson for Barracuda before it became Barracora](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/11.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/11.jpg)

Artwork from Doug Watson for Barracuda before it became Barracora

Since this an interactive art exhibition, there are nine pinball machine exhibits available on free play. Six are recent Stern titles and three are Bally/Williams classics.

Game list:

|  |  |
| --- | --- |
| *Spider-Man Vault Edition* (Stern)  *The Walking Dead* (Stern)  *Ghostbusters* (Stern)  *Game of Thrones LE* (Stern)  *Metallica* (Stern) | *Kiss* (Stern)  *Kiss* (Bally)  *Sorcerer* (Williams)  *Dolly Parton* (Bally) |

[![A row of recent Stern pinballs to play](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/9.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/9.jpg)

A row of recent Stern pinballs to play: Spider-Man, The Walking Dead, Ghostbusters, Game of Thrones & Metallica

[![More of the pinballs in the exhibit](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/5.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/5.jpg)

More of the pinballs in the exhibition: Kiss, Kiss, Sorcerer and Dolly Parton

I have seen interviews with Gary Stern in which he states that the pinball industry will eventually die unless the machines are out where people can play them. It is very clever of Stern Pinball to support a pinball exhibition in a college building. There’s a large number of young people that will be exposed to the exhibits and hopefully they will see how much fun they are, and then will play pins in the future.

[![A wall with pinball machine diagrams and a video from the movie Tommy](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/3.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/3.jpg)

A wall with pinball machine diagrams and a video from the movie ‘Tommy’

The highlight of the exhibition for me was seeing the playfield development drawings of *Medieval Madness* by Greg Freres. It was fascinating to see the details progress in the multiple drawings.

[![Medieval Madness playfield drawings from Greg Freres](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/10.jpg)](https://www.pinballnews.com/site/wp-content/uploads/news/skillshot-exhibition/10.jpg)

Medieval Madness playfield drawings from Greg Freres

I was very happy to see that the home of pinball machines has such a nice exhibition showcasing the art of pinball.

_(Acquisition: raw_text, Enrichment: v1)_

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*Exported from Journalist Tool on 2026-08-04 | Item ID: 00d196d2-7fd2-4174-83e5-ba71e5439840*