Homage to Phil Risbeck

About This Event

CSU Libraries Presents Homage to Phil Risbeck Exhibition Celebrates the Visionary Designer, Educator, and Co-Founder of the Colorado International Invitational Poster Exhibition Fort Collins, Colo. – Colorado State University Libraries announces Homage to Phil Risbeck, a landmark exhibition honoring the life and legacy of University Distinguished Professor Phil Risbeck (1936–2024). On view at CSU’s Morgan Library from September 1 through December 21, 2025, the exhibition reflects on Risbeck’s profound impact as an artist, educator, and global ambassador of graphic design. A faculty member at CSU for nearly 40 years, Risbeck transformed the university’s art and design program. In 1979, he co-founded the Colorado International Invitational Poster Exhibition (CIIPE), the first of its kind in North America, bringing world-renowned designers such as Shigeo Fukuda and Saul Bass to Fort Collins. Today, CIIPE remains an internationally respected platform and an invaluable teaching resource, cementing CSU’s role in the global design community. Risbeck’s own artistic career was equally distinguished. His award-winning posters were exhibited in Moscow, Paris, Warsaw, Beijing, Havana, and Rio de Janeiro, and are held in major collections across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He served as juror at leading poster competitions worldwide and lectured extensively, carrying forward the Bauhaus-inspired vision instilled by his mentor, Herbert Bayer. As an educator, Risbeck inspired generations of students to pursue creativity with rigor and playfulness—whether through poster design, experimental projects like playing cards and pop-up books, or in the classroom where he championed excellence and imagination. “Phil Risbeck was more than a teacher or designer; he was a connector,” said [Insert Curator/Dean Quote]. “He built friendships and collaborations that expanded CSU’s reach onto the global stage. This exhibition celebrates his enduring legacy in design and education.” Homage to Phil Risbeck showcases original works, photographs, and archival materials, inviting visitors to reflect on a life dedicated to art, teaching, and the power of design to unite communities worldwide. Exhibition Details: Homage to Phil Risbeck September 1 – December 21, 2025 Morgan Library, CSU Libraries