Poster House Presents First Friday

Poster House, the first museum in the United States dedicated to the global history of posters, hosts its monthly “First Friday”. On the first Friday of every month, Poster House offers free admission and extended hours for guests to come explore the museum’s latest exhibitions. Explore the museum’s latest exhibitions and get in on the fun by attending a tour, workshop, performance, or activity throughout the day. The two main exhibitions currently on show are Fallout: Atoms for War & Peace and Puerto Rico in Print: The Posters of Lorenzo Homar. Both exhibitions are open until September 7, 2025.

Every First Friday is different, offering unique opportunities such as tours, workshops, performances, and activities, to further engage visitors with the exhibitions. First Friday activities for August 1st include:

11am-12pm: Fallout Curatorial Tour – Join Poster House for a curatorial tour of Fallout: Atoms for War & Peace led by Executive Director & Chief Curator Angelina Lippert. The hour-long walk-through offers a close look at the display of Cold War-era posters created in response to the promises and dangers of atomic energy and a unique opportunity to connect historical context with graphic design in a powerful and timely exhibition.

1-7pm: Ink the News, Subway-Inspired Printmaking – The Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop will host a drop-in workshop at Poster House inspired by posters in the Poster House exhibition From the Bronx to the Battery: The Subway Sun where participants will have the opportunity to make their own unique newspaper prints!

The Robert Blackburn Printmaking Workshop (RBPMW) is a dynamic community print studio that honors the legacy of pioneering artist and master printmaker Robert Blackburn (1920–2003). Founded in a spirit of inclusivity and artistic excellence, RBPMW provides a supportive, collaborative space for artists of all backgrounds to explore and expand their printmaking practice.

1-2:30pm: Dr. Strangelove Movie Screening – Join Poster House for a special screening of Stanley Kubrick’s darkly satirical masterpiece Dr. Strangelove (1964), presented in conjunction with the Poster House exhibition Fallout: Atoms for War & Peace. With a classic performance from Peter Sellers and biting political commentary, Dr. Strangelove captures the absurdity and anxiety of the Atomic Age—echoing some of the themes explored in Fallout.  Seating is first come, first served. This film is rated PG and is recommended for ages 13 and up.

3-4pm: Luis Martin Collage Workshop – Join Luis Martin, The Art Engineer, for an in-depth exploration of the creative ideas and aesthetic choices featured in the Poster House exhibition Puerto Rico in Print: The Posters of Lorenzo Homar. Participants will dive into the exhibition and make a unique collage in this special workshop that connects island life between Puerto Rico and Manhattan, highlighting how this relationship shapes the stories we tell.   This program is designed for attendees aged 8 and above.

3:30-4pm: Story Time/Rare Print – Stop by Poster House for an interactive reading of a unique children’s book, ABC de Puerto Rico by Isabel Freire de Matos and Rubèn del Rosari, which will feature striking and fantastical illustrations.  This program is intended for children ages 6 and under (accompanied by their families). This is not a drop-off program.

4-5pm: Let’s Walk Shop – Join award-winning graphic designer Zipeng Zhu on a walk through Chelsea as he dissects, criticizes and praises contemporary advertising posters that have been flypasted around NYC. Participants will learn how to look at a poster through a designer’s lens and get a feel for good (and bad) composition, color, balance, and messaging.  The walk starts at Poster House but is throughout Chelsea. Attendees should be prepared to walk for about an hour on the streets of New York. Headsets will be provided to ensure you don’t miss any of Zipeng’s insightful commentary.

Zipeng Zhu is a Chinese-born artist, designer, educator, and founder of the award-winning creative studio DAZZLE in New York City. He wants to make every day a razzle-dazzle musical. He has collaborated with iconic brands such as Apple, Adidas, Adobe, Coca-Cola, Instagram, Microsoft, Netflix, the New York Times, the New Yorker Magazine, Uber, MTV, and Samsung. His work has been exhibited at major museums and institutions in cities all over the world, including New York, Barcelona, Dubai, Shanghai, Beijing, and Mumbai. Zipeng dedicates his days running both the Dazzle Studio and merch shop Dazzle Supply, bringing his dazzling design to clients and everyday fans around the globe.

5-6pm: (Re)Printing Demo with Mike King – Stop by Poster House for a demonstration by Mike King where he will be reimagining a poster (or two!) from the Poster House exhibition Copy/Paste/Print/Repeat: Mike King & the Art of the Gig Poster. A limited number of complimentary reprints will be available for the taking.

7-8pm: An Evening with John Benitez & Evolution – Poster House will host Grammy-winning bassist, composer, and arranger John Benitez and his dynamic new ensemble, Evolution for performance in partnership with the Jazz Foundation of America  inspired by Poster House’s current exhibition, Puerto Rico in Print: The Posters of Lorenzo Homar—a tribute to Puerto Rican resilience, creativity, and cultural pride. The performance will include blends deep Afro-Caribbean roots with contemporary jazz, showcasing the vibrant sounds of Puerto Rican musical traditions reimagined for today’s stage.