Looney Tunes at the ToonSeum!

"Overture: Looney Tunes Behind the Scenes"





The ToonSeum is excited to present "Overture: Looney Tunes Behind the Scenes." Pull back the curtain and take a peek backstage at the creative process behind the looniest bunch of Toons in animation history!



Few cartoons have been able to capture the hearts of generations like the "Looney Tunes." "Overture: Looney Tunes Behind the Scenes" showcases original artwork of the world-famous "Looney Tunes" characters, including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Sylvester, Tweety, Speedy Gonzales, Foghorn Leghorn, Yosemite Sam and The Tasmanian Devil. Character designs, model sheets, advertising artwork, animation pencil art, "Looney Tunes" comic book art, musical scores and other rarely seen works offer a unique look at the creative process behind those iconic characters. A collection of rare caricatures also provide insight into the artists behind the scenes at Looney Tunes.

Featured artists include famed "Looney Tunes" director and animator Robert McKimson; his brothers, Charles and Tom McKimson; animator Sam Nicholson, who was famous at the studio for his skill as a caricaturist; the iconic director and animator Chuck Jones; voice artist Mel Blanc; and legendary background artist and designer Maurice Noble.



The exhibit, which is being sponsored by the ACME Brick Company, will open on Sept. 30 with an After Gallery Crawl opening reception from 9 to 10:30 p.m. Opening reception tickets are $5 and can be purchased online at looney.eventbrite.com The exhibit will be open through Dec. 31.



“We are especially delighted to have the Acme Brick Company name behind this exhibit as a sponsor,” said ToonSeum Executive Director Joe Wos. “When we were searching for an appropriate sponsor for this exhibit, we really struggled with who would be the most appropriate, and then it hit me like a ton of bricks!”



Acme Brick Company is 120 years old and is the largest American-owned brick company in the world. Acme is the only brick company that stamps their logo into residential brick products and backs them with the Acme 100 Year Limited Homebuyers’ Guarantee. Acme is now the official brick of the ToonSeum.


The exhibit is curated by Andrew Farago of the Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco. Additional materials are curated by Joe Wos of the ToonSeum.

Geek Night September

The schedule the September 22nd Geek TV Night is still being constructed, but will include: The Adventures of Pete and Pete, The Simpsons, The Tick, and Mystery Science Theater 3000. Log on to our Facebook page or Twitter and vote for your favorites.


Suddenly, it's cool to be a “geek.” The ToonSeum will host a monthly “geek get-together” to celebrate one of our favorite mediums - classic cult television.


“When I was a kid, you never wanted to be called a geek. Now people wear the title like a badge of honor,” says program presenter and ToonSeum Manager John Mattie. “The ToonSeum's staff and guests are comprised of geeks of all kinds, but mostly, we're serious about art, animation, and great storytelling. Our Buffy the Vampire Slayer screenings sparked really great feeling of community. Those attendees were so excited to share their love of the show with other people like them that got it. So the ToonSeum staff started talking about how we could open that experience up to embrace even more people.”


Geek TV Night will feature five hours of rotating programming, centered around classic cult television series and animation. The screenings offer fans a fun night of nostalgia and geek-bonding that expand upon the ToonSeum's traditional animation and documentary screening schedule. The ever-changing schedule will feature selected episodes of the ToonSeum's favorite shows and those voted on by attendees. The schedule for August 18th was compiled by votes on the ToonSeum's Facebook page.


“We like the idea that the loyal fans of Geek TV Night will determine what we watch each month, so the events will always be spontaneous and fun.”


Among the selections for upcoming screenings will be episodes from Buffy, Black Adder, The Adventures of Pete and Pete, Battlestar Galactica, Beavis and Butthead, Dr. Who, Firefly, Fraggle Rock, The Incredible Hulk, Monty Python, The Muppet Show, The Simpsons, Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Tick, Twin Peaks, Wonder Woman, the The Young Ones and more, plus classic cartoons, with each evening culminating in a classic episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000.


In addition, Geek Trivia, games and prizes will be part of each evening.


The screenings are open to all ages and are presented on a donation-only format. Patrons can come and go as they please with shows beginning on the half-hour. Family friendly programming will be presented from 7-8:30. Alcohol will be available for guests over 21 with proper ID.