Simi Town Center’s Art of Propaganda
In the lead up to Memorial Day, Simi Valley Town Center is taking a look at the art and marketing that goes into building a successful war effort.
The center has brought together a collection of rare original military posters, art and propaganda from World War I through the present day. The exhibit, “Hooray for the U.S.A.!” is launching next Friday with a ceremony that includes presentations by the commander of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, representatives of each military branch and the Simi Valley Civil Air Patrol.
The center worked with a local collector to put together much of the exhibit, including about 30 World War I and at least 20 World War II historic posters. Shoppers will see the work that went into convincing people to join the war effort, purchase war bonds and grow food at home – and younger visitors will have a vivid reminder of the world of advertising before the Internet. Military poster exhibitions are relative rare on the West Coast of the U.S., so these images will be a first for many visitors.
The center is taking donations for local veterans organizations through the course of the exhibit.
