UW-Eau Claire’s Foster Gallery hosted Keith Matejka and Stephen Kerr of Thunderworks Games for a Q&A and board game demonstration on Feb. 19.
This event was part of the Gallery’s latest exhibition, “Ludic Visions | Designing Decision,” which focuses on board games and the development behind them.
According to owner and designer Matejka, Thunderworks Games is a small board game publisher in Madison, Wisconsin that he started in 2013. They are known for their most popular games like Cartographers and Fliptoons.
To share their professional experience with game development, Matejka and Kerr, Thunderworks’ graphic designer, answered attendees’ questions about the industry, game development and how artists can enter the industry.
“Some focused on illustration, some on getting into design, some into marketing, some into sales,” Matejka said. “So it was a nice wide spectrum of different topics that were brought up. And it allowed me to kind of think about things I haven’t thought about for a while.”
Amanda Bulger, the director of the Foster Gallery, said there was intentional effort in displaying complete games, as well as their prototypes and parts, in this exhibition.
“We have so many graphic design students and illustrators,” Bulger said. “We want them to start to think about as they move into the work field, and they’re no longer doing things that are just assignments, what are the things that they need to start paying attention to?”
Matejka said he appreciated how the exhibition allowed attendees to truly experience the artistry in different aspects of each board game and notice smaller details.
“Instead of just looking at a piece of artwork that’s in a game as part of a thing, (the artwork) being blown up and being featured makes me look at them differently,” Matejka said. “At the same time, the board game components are available for people to either pick up or open or take a look at … it’s been very cool.”
Greta Wright, an illustration student, said the Thunderworks Q&A and Ludic Visions exhibition was very interesting as she feels tabletop games are popular with her generation.
“It was exciting that the foster gallery did an event so focused on tabletop games, because sometimes it falls into the more traditional fine arts, like painting and sculpture,” Wright said. “I feel like it’s much more contemporary and relevant.”
Bulgor said the Foster Gallery aims to have shows that can appeal to all students, not just those studying in Haas Fine Arts Center.
“(The Foster Gallery) doesn’t belong to the Department of Art and Design,” Bulgor said. “So having shows like this, where people might hear about games, might be the push they need to make the walk across the bridge to come to Haas and see the gallery.”
Bulgor said the “Ludic Visions | Designing Decision” will stay up until March 8 due to “high demand,” with the board games remaining available for students to come in and try out as long as the gallery is open.
Matejka said he hopes those interested in making their own board games know that the industry is full of welcoming and passionate people.
“All you need is a piece of paper and a pencil, and you can start designing a game,” Matejka said. “You can cut up cards. You can create little pieces. All you need is a good idea and some time and some passion and a piece of paper, and you can be well on your way.”
Bulgor said the gallery will also host Erik Evensen, the illustrator for games such as Distilled and Marry Mr. Darcy, who will give a presentation on March 3.
Sherry can be reached at [email protected].
