Pastime: The Art of the Game

Reception: Wednesday, October 15, 6-8pm

Mass-produced games of all types, including interactive toys, board and card games have entertained the public since the nineteenth century. The North Shore is home to a rich history of game design and production, notably Parker Brothers which was founded in Salem, MA in 1883. In multiple galleries, Pastime: The Art of the Game highlights the artistic design and the aesthetic experience of game play. The exhibition features a selection of iconic Parker Brothers games, including Monopoly, Nerf, and Bop-It. Also presented are installations of the World War II strategy games Axis and Allies by Larry Harris and the popular children’s stacking card game Rhino Hero by art directors and toy designers Steven Strumpf and Scott Frisco. Pastime illustrates the art of game design through the presentation of drawings, prototypes, and early production models, linking the legacy of innovation in game design unique to the region to an emerging generation of young game designers at Montserrat College of Art.

The exhibition will be accompanied by a robust series of programs, including an interactive gaming space within the exhibition as well as a series of public talks by game designers, and events for students and the public.

Organized by the Montserrat Galleries in collaboration with gaming pioneer John Sutyak, founding member and Chief Creative Officer of Hasbro Interactive and former Montserrat trustee. Pastime also showcases contributions from Montserrat faculty and students in the Games, Toys and Play concentration.

The exhibit’s promotional materials were created by graphic designer and Montserrat alumni, Elliot Gale (’24).

Pastime Related Programming

Opening Reception:

Wednesday, October 15, 6–8pm, Montserrat Gallery

Game Talk:

Larry Harris: From Prototype to Product
The creator of the game, Axis and Allies, Harris will talk about game development and production.

Monday, October 20, 11am–12pm (lunch), H101

Game Show Gallery Tours:

Join Director of Exhibitions, Lynne Cooney, and Montserrat Galleries Curatorial Assistant Madeline McGann for a walk-through of the exhibition in the Montserrat Gallery

Thursday, October 30, 2:50–3:40pm (Siesta)
Thursday, November 13, 2:50–3:40pm (Siesta)

Game Talk:

Dan Klitsner, Industrial + Game Designer
Founder and Creative Director of Bop It! and licensing firm KID Group LLC.

Monday, November 10th, 6:30-8:00pm, H101

Game Talk:

Beyond the Land of Sweets: The History and Cultural Context of Candy Land
Meagan Rennie, Dean of Students

Friday, November 14th, 3:30-5:00, H101

Game Talk:

Phil Orbanes, Author and Game Designer
The pre-eminent authority on the iconic Parker Brothers game, Monopoly, Orbanes will discuss the history of Monopoly and his new book, Monopoly X.

Monday, November 17, 6:30pm, Off-Cabot, 9 Wallis Street, Beverly

General Public: $10
Free for Montserrat students, faculty, and staff.

Game Night Film Series (Montserrat Community only):

On select Fridays during the exhibition, screenings of classic films about games and game makers will be shown in H101. Watch movies, play games, and enjoy snacks!

Friday, October 24, 5–7pm
Clue (1985), Dir. Jonathan Lynn

Friday, November 7, 5–7pm
The Hudsucker Proxy (1994), Dir. Coen Brothers

Friday, November 21, 5–7pm
Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005), Dir. Jon Favreau

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

**Please check back for updated event information.