Two new exhibitions at The Ohio State University celebrate the International Museum of Cartoon Art Collection, which was recently transferred to OSU’s Cartoon Library and Museum (formerly the Cartoon Research Library). The union of these two institutions created the largest collection of original cartoon art in the world. The exhibitions showcase the treasures of the collection including original art from editorial cartoons, comic strips, animation and comic books. Fan favorites Peanuts, Calvin and Hobbes, Blondie, Dick Tracy, Mickey Mouse, For Better or For Worse, Doonesbury, Spider-Man, Beetle Bailey and Family Circus will all be on display. The characters and images depicted may be familiar, but taken out of their traditional context in print and on screen, cartoons can be examined and appreciated as works of art; triumphs of design and craftsmanship. The originals reveal the method behind the magic, offering visitors an opportunity to look at the popular culture icons and images so prevalent in their everyday lives in new and different ways. These exhibitions will engage and delight audiences of all ages.

• From Yellow Kid to Conan: American Cartoons from the International Museum of Cartoon Art Collection will be held at the Hopkins Hall Gallery + Corridor from June 28-August 7, 2009. The exhibition is open weekdays from 10:30 am-4:30 pm and is located at 128 North Oval Mall.
• Hogarth and Beyond: Global Cartoons from the International Museum of Cartoon Art Collection will be held at the Cartoon Library and Museum’s Reading Room gallery from June 10-August 31, 2009. The exhibition is open weekdays from 9:00 am-5:00 pm and is located at 27 W. 17th Ave.  Mall (entrance near Wexner Center, north of Mershon Auditorium)

Admission to both exhibitions is free.

A series of events on June 27-28, 2009 has been scheduled to celebrate the opening of the exhibitions:

June 27, 2009, 7:00 pm, Wexner Center for the Arts Film/Video Theater
101 Dalmations (1961) proceeded by animated shorts, Brave Little Tailor(1938) and Leprechaun’s Gold (1949). Introduction by animation historian Jerry Beck. Visit wexarts.org or call 614-292-3535 for tickets. $7 ($5 for members, students, and senior citizens).

June 28, 2009, Grand Lounge, The Ohio State University Faculty Club, 181 South Oval Drive.
1:00 pm   Milestones of the International Museum of Cartoon Art. Panel discussion with former trustees Brian Walker, Mort Walker, and Arnold Roth moderated by Dr. Jared Gardner, Dept. of English.
2:15 pm   Keynote Speaker – Jim Borgman, Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist and co-creator of the comic strip Zits.

3:30-5:00 pm   Exhibition  opening reception at the Hopkins Hall Gallery + Corridor. Refreshments will be served.

All June 28 events are free and open to the public.

The following additional programs are scheduled:

July 14, 2009, 7:00-9:00 pm, 162 Hopkins Hall, 128 North Oval Mall. Free.
“A Whirlwind History of American Comics” by Dr, Jared Gardner and gallery talk by Lucy Shelton Caswell, curator of From the Yellow Kid to Conan.

July 19, 2009, Free family programs.
12:00-4:30 pm   From the Yellow Kid to Conan: American Cartoons from the International Museum of Cartoon Art Collection at Hopkins Gallery + Corridor.
1:00 pm   The Secret of N.I.M.H. (1982) Wexner Center for the Arts Film/Video Theater.
2:30-4:00 pm   Special events at the Hopkins Gallery + Corridor. Enjoy lemonade and cookies! Print a comic strip with Bob Tauber, Logan Elm Press and Book Arts Program! Make an authentic newspaper printer’s hat!

About the International Museum of Cartoon Art (IMCA): IMCA was established in 1973 by Mort Walker, the creative force behind Beetle Bailey, as the first museum dedicated to collecting and exhibiting cartoons. IMCA’s collection consists of approximately 200,000 works, including original drawings from all genres of cartoon art (comic strips, comic books, animation, editorial, advertising, collectibles, and works on film and tape, CD’s and DVD’s.

IMCA’s operating history spanned nearly thirty years and three locations. Unfortunately, in 2002, after six years of highly successful operation in Boca Raton, Florida and the expectation ofa long and similarly successful future, financial difficulties forced the museum to close. The entire collection was transferred to OSU in 2008.

About the Cartoon Library and Museum: The library’s primary mission is to develop a comprehensive research collection of materials documenting American printed cartoon art (editorial cartoons, comic strips, comic books, graphic novels, sports cartoons, and magazine cartoons) and to provide access to these collections. The library is open Monday-Friday 9 am to 5 pm. See https://cartoons.osu.edu/ for further information.

Contact the Cartoon Library and Museum for an image to accompany this release.