Steve Banks

Selected as a member of the late photographer Richard Avedon's first master class held at his studio from February 28th until April 26th, 1967. His partner was the late Marvin Israel, art director, photographer, designer, former director of Seventeen, Harper's Bazaar and Atlantic Records. Participants were assigned weekly projects critiqued by other workshop members, Avedon, Israel and various weekly visitors. These included photographers Hiro, Diane Arbus, Garry Winogrand, Lee Frielander, Danny Lyon, Bruce Davidson, Mary Ellen Mark, and John Szarkowski; Director of the Department of Photography at the Museum of Modern Art (1962 - 1991). This workshop was modeled after Alexey Brodovitch's Design Lab which was started in 1933 at Philadelphia's Museum of Industrial Art. 

Steve Banks's photography is included in the permanent collections of: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and The Jimi Hendrix Museum

1938               Born in Washington, D.C. on February 14.

1952               Awarded Middle School Scholarship, Chicago Art Institute. First prize National Scholastic Magazine, work hung in the Carnage Institute, Pittsburgh.

1953               Continues Scholarship study at Chicago Institute. First and Second Prize National Scholastic Magazine, work exhibited at the Carnage Institute, Pittsburgh.

1956 - 1960    Graphic Illustrator United States Air Force.

1959         First and Second Prize, Mixed Media, West Texas State Fair.

1960 - 1964 Art Director, Leo Burnett Company, Chicago.

1962         Individual Exhibition Contemporary Art Gallery, Evanston, Illinois

1963         Group Exhibition, International Gallery, Chicago Illinois

1964         Group Exhibition, International Gallery, Chicago Illinois

1964 - 1967 Executive Art Director-Producer, Erwin Wasey Inc., Advertising, Los Angeles

1966         Group Exhibition, Larchmont Gallery, Los Angeles

1967 - 1970 Vice president Associate Creative Director - Executive Producer, William Esty Company, Advertising, New York

1967         Group Exhibition, Stern Gallery, Darien, Connecticut

1968         Group Exhibition, Strawberry Contemporary, Stamford, Connecticut

1970 - 1974 Executive Art Director - Producer/Director, McCann Erickson and Standard Ogilvy, San Paulo, Brazil

1972         Individual Exhibition, Bela Vista Contompo Galleria, São Paulo, Brazil

1973         Group Exhibition, Flavio Cohen Galleria, São Paulo, Brazil

1973         Group Exhibition, Leme’ Contompo Galleria, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

1974         Group Exhibition, Martins Agusta Galleria, São Paulo, Brazil

1974 - 1980  Independent Producer of television commercials, Los Angeles

1980 - 1983  Vice President Broadcast Production, Dailey & Associates, Advertising, Los Angeles

1984 - 2000  Partner, Wright-Banks Films, Los Angeles