Art of War

Poster art program draws interest

About 50 people joined speaker  Bob Frenz Sunday on the 15th anniversary of 9/11 and the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor and the United States entry into World War II. In "The Art of War," Frenz will discussed wartime propaganda posters from his collection and the artists who created them. Frenz, a retired Huntley High School history teacher and Crystal Lake resident, estimated he has 35 to 40 World War II posters in his collection and another 30 to 34 posters from World War I.

The Office of War Information was created in 1942 to craft and spread  the government’s message. Posters urging Americans to "Save Tires," "Think Safety" and "Join a Car-Sharing Club" were placed in railway stations, airports, post offices, schools and apartment buildings. The Red Cross, General Electric, Stetson Hat Company and other organizations created thousands of patriotic posters tapping into positive, patriotic themes as well as the repercussions from not doing one's part.  "Loose Lips Might Sink Ships" is but one example.