Earth Altar Beast

Rotofugi Designer Toy Store & Gallery, established in July 2004, is located on the border of Chicago's Lincoln Park and Lakeview neighborhoods in a beautiful vintage building. Since opening, Rotofugi has grown to become one of the world's premier sellers of designer toys from artists all over the world. Rotofugi features a diverse selection of vinyl figures, capsule toys, plush and more from both eastern and western designers. The adjoining Rotofugi Gallery features monthly art exhibits by a range of both local and nationally known artists. Beginning in late 2007 Rotofugi partnered with Chicago based product development specialist Squibbles Ink to begin producing artist-designed figures by the talented designers located in their home town. Click here for more information on Squibbles Ink + Rotofugi projects. Rotofugi is owned and operated by husband and wife duo Kirby and Whitney Kerr. You can find the couple in and around the store on most days. They love to talk about toys and art. "Designer / Toy Manufacturer Monster Worship Based in Pittsburgh, Chad Rugola founded Monster Worship in 2008 to collaborate with other artists who share his “religious” interest in kaiju, cryptids, and Japanese toys. Chad previously published hardcore music fanzines and operated an indie record label which instilled a DIY ethos long before the internet age. So with the DIY ambitions and inspired by small toy companies like Secret Base, Super7, and Gargamel, he decided to begin making vinyl toys, t-shirts, and other art. So far, Monster Worship’s toy offerings include beaK’s Kusogon, Jeff Lamm’s Greasebat, Johnny Ryan’s Cannibal Fuckface from Prison Pit and Chad’s own Altar Beast. Martin Ontiveros, MCA, Galaxy People, Velocitron, and the talented sculptors Chauskoskis and Monster 5 are also among the artists who have worked with Monster Worship. In addition to appearing at SDCC, NYCC, Superfestival, and gallery shows at FOE, Rotofugi, and elsewhere, Monster Worship has also been a regular presence at the annual Mothman Festival in nearby West Virginia." http://www.designertoyawards.com/board/chad-rugola