ESCANABA — Album art is on display at the Bonifas Arts Center. Doug Sjoquist said the Golden Age of Album Covers exhibit features album art from the late 1960s to early 80s.

“Early artwork on album covers when were characterized by portrait photography and boring, conventional lettering styles. This exhibit really illustrates how the emphasis was on artwork rather than on photography. It’s a celebration of artwork and I think that’s really worth exhibiting,” said Sjoquist.

The exhibit shows the influence that art played at the time and the part that musicians played in marketing their music through art.

Sjoquist began his album cover collection in the 1960’s when he played in a high school band in Gladstone and needed to use the music to learn the songs. He continued to add to the collection throughout his life.
It’s important to recall the era of album art, Sioquist said, because it’s longer a part of music.

“You can download your favorite music and not see any artwork. Also, when we had CD’s come into the marketplace in the early 1980’s you are losing a nice venue for atheistic enjoyment and art expression, I think, by missing out on all this,” he said.

A reception will be held tonight at the Bonifas at 6 p.m. with live music. Sjoquist will talk about the album covers starting at 7 p.m. and music trivia will begin at 7:30 at Hereford and Hops.

The exhibit runs through Oct. 24.