Denver American Indian Art Show Commemorative Poster (May 1981) featuring Frank Howell Artwork

This is a framed exhibition poster for the Denver American Indian Art Show held in May 1981, featuring a central lithographic image by the renowned artist Frank Howell. The artwork depicts a stoic Native American man with long, weathered hair, wrapped in a vibrant red and blue patterned trade blanket adorned with white cross motifs. The visual style is characteristic of Howell’s 'ethereal' realism, utilizing soft, textured backgrounds and a muted color palette of lavender, sage, and ochre that contrasts with the bold red of the textile. Text at the bottom edge is stylized in a fluid script, indicating the event name and date. The print is housed under glass and professionally mounted with a wide lavender matting board that complements the cool tones of the artwork’s background. It is encased in a thin, gold-toned metallic frame. Regarding condition, the piece appears well-preserved for its age, though there is a slight ripple visible in the paper substrate, potentially from humidity or poor mounting. The frame shows minor surface handling wear along the top edge, and the matte color exhibits slight sun-fading. There are no visible tears or heavy staining on the primary image area. Frank Howell’s work from this period is highly collectible among enthusiasts of Contemporary Native American and Western art.

Based on my visual examination of this 1981 Denver American Indian Art Show poster featuring Frank Howell’s artwork, I estimate the fair market value to be between $400 and $650. Howell is a pivotal figure in contemporary Western and Native American art, known for his 'ethereal' portraits. This specific exhibition poster represents a desirable piece of regional art history; however, value is primarily driven by the central Howell image rather than the commemorative text. The condition appears fair to good for its age. The 'rippling' noted in the substrate suggests the paper is not dry-mounted or is reacting to humidity, which can lead to permanent creasing if not corrected. The sun-fading on the lavender matting indicates historical UV exposure, suggesting the print itself may have minor pigment attenuation, particularly in the delicate ochre and sage tones. In the current market, collectors favor Howell’s signed lithographs over show posters; however, the professional framing and the iconic 'Blanket' subject matter maintain its appeal. Limitations: This appraisal is based solely on digital images. Without an in-person inspection, I cannot verify the substrate type or distinguish between a true lithographic print and a high-quality offset reproduction. A physical examination is required to check for hidden foxing or acidity under the matting and to confirm if the glass is UV-protective. Full authentication would require removing the piece from the frame to inspect the paper’s edge for watermarks and seeking original provenance regarding where the poster was acquired during the 1981 event. If the image were hand-signed by Howell rather than just having a plate signature, the value would increase significantly.