Attached: Word document version of the following Press Release & photos.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2011

Flippers and Flash: The Art of Pinball
April 14 through July 31, 2011
Muskegon Museum of Art Wiener Gallery

The Muskegon Museum of Art will present Flippers and Flash: The Art of
Pinball, which features 12 pinball machines dating primarily from the
1990s that were selected for their design savvy, sound and light
quality, and popular culture appeal. Flippers and Flash will be open
April 14 through July 31, 2011.

Major Chicago manufacturers including Bally, Williams, Stern, and
Capcom are represented. Backglass imagery, posters, and other visuals
enhance the presentation. And [WINDOWS-1252?]it’s not all hands-off! Two
additional
pinball machines will be available for timed play during regular MMA
hours. Novices and pinball wizards alike are invited!

Playing the silver ball has been practiced in many an arcade and
amusement hall since the inception of pinball games in Chicago in the
1930s. Pinball is a highly interactive game fueled by a compelling
series of rewards and punishments. It requires skill, strategy, and
concentration. A cacophony of flashing lights, sound effects, moving
targets, and vivid graphics fill the playfield and keep us coming back
for more. Game themes are derived from movies, television, sports,
comics, current events, rock star personalities, and other aspects of
everyday life.

The exhibition has been organized by the Muskegon Museum of Art and is
underwritten by an anonymous donor. The customized pinball machines
are courtesy of a West Michigan collector. Machine maintenance is
provided by Game Room Guys, Belmont, Michigan.

RELATED PROGRAMS

Thursday, April 21
Opening Event
5:30 pm Reception
7:00 pm Presentation by Mark Bakula and Jim Schelberg
Check out the pinball machines during the reception, then learn more
about the art of pinball with collector Mark Bakula. [WINDOWS-1252?]Bakula’s
pinball
collection began in 1973 with his purchase of a [WINDOWS-1252?]“Flipper
[WINDOWS-1252?]Clown”
machine. While working his regular career as an engineer and enjoying
skydiving and piloting, Bakula also kept busy spreading the pinball
virus to his friends and co-workers. With him as the ringleader, the
pinball hobby has spread out over the Southeast Wisconsin area. Not
satisfied with merely buying pinball machines, he and his partner
Harold Balde formed Pintastic, Inc. to sell collectable pinball items
like translites and flyers. Event is free and open to the public.

Brown Bag Films
A trio of Brown Bag Films coincides with the MMA's Flippers and Flash:
The Art of Pinball exhibition. The films will bring a greater
understand to the art of collecting pinball machines as well as unveil
the passion and skill it takes to be a master of the silver ball. MMA
Brown Bag Films are free and are shown on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of
the month at 12:15 pm. Bring your lunch and enjoy complimentary coffee
and cookies. After the films, stop in the galleries for free guided
exhibition tours from 1:00 to 3:00 pm. Brown Bag Films are
underwritten by MMA Education Partner Alcoa Foundation/Howmet.
April 28
The Pinball Collector (63 mins.)
May 12
Pinball Passion (50 mins.)
May 26
Tilt: The Battle to Save Pinball (60 mins.)

MORE PROGRAMS WILL BE ANNOUNCED AS THEY BECOME AVAILABLE.

VISITOR INFORMATION
The Muskegon Museum of Art is located at 296 W. Webster Ave. in
downtown Muskegon. Call 231-720-2570 or visit
www.muskegonartmuseum.org for information.
Admission: $5.00 (Free on Thursdays). Free admission for MMA Members,
Students (with I.D.) and ages 17 and under. Extra admission may be
charged for special exhibitions and events.
Hours:
SUN noon-4:30pm
MON closed
TUES closed (June-August open 10am-6pm)
WED 10am-4:30pm
THURS 10am-8:00pm (June-August open 10am-6pm)
FRI 10am-4:30pm
SAT 10am-4:30pm

###

-- 
Marguerite Curran-Gawron
Communications and Public Relations Coordinator
Muskegon Museum of Art
296 W. Webster Ave.
Muskegon MI 49440
t. 231.720.2574
f. 231.720.2585
www.muskegonartmuseum.org

-- 
Marguerite Curran-Gawron
Communications and Public Relations Coordinator
Muskegon Museum of Art
296 W. Webster Ave.
Muskegon MI 49440
t. 231.720.2574
f. 231.720.2585
www.muskegonartmuseum.org