“The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons” Exhibit Coming to Orange County Regional History Center on January 25th, 2014

Hi everyone!

The Orange County Regional History Center in Orlando, Florida has a wonderful exhibit opening next month for animation fans! I grew up on Warner Bros. cartoons, and an exhibition titled “The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons” will debut at on January 25th, 2014. The exhibit was created by the Museum of Modern Art in New York, N.Y. and runs through just March 23rd, 2014 – so definitely put it in your calendar! There are some wonderful events designed for cartoon lovers! And check out the different levels of membership, some of which include reciprocal privileges with other museums. Keep reading for the press release with all the details!

© Warner Bros. Inc.

ORLANDO, Fla. (December 12, 2013) – Discover the secrets of how America’s favorite cartoons pioneered a new kind of animated humor in The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons exhibition created by the Museum of Modern Art, New York, N.Y., opening on January 25 and running through March 23, 2014, at the Orange County Regional History Center in Orlando, Fla. Learn about the creative process that gave birth to Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Wile E. Coyote, and their comrades, and turned these entertaining animated short films into a cultural phenomenon. See original artwork of the cartoons spanning from 1930 to 1960 in a world-class exhibition that has traveled around the world and been seen by millions.

“This collection of art and memorabilia is outstanding,” said Michael Perkins, Curator of Exhibits at the History Center. “So many of us grew up with these cartoons and for those who did, Bugs Bunny and Wile E. Coyote will always bring a smile to our face. The exhibition brings these memoires flooding back with a rich collection of animated cells interspersed with information about the artists, and of course cartoons.”

The exhibition focuses on each step of the animation process and how it contributed to the overall success of the cartoon. From camera movements and musical cues, to witty dialogue and expressive drawings, each step of the process was perfected to convey the attitudes and charm of the characters. For the first time in animated history, this beloved gang of misfits brought irreverent, street-smart humor to the screen. The topical references along with the characters’ brash and reckless humor won the hearts of Americans. For 16 consecutive years, Warner Bros. Cartoons were voted America’s most popular shorts. Even today Bugs Bunny continues to win major national popularity polls for America’s favorite cartoon character. A recent TV Guide survey named the iconic rabbit the “Greatest Cartoon Character of All Time.”

© Warner Bros. Inc.

“Our visitors will enjoy these wacky characters as much today as they did when they first saw them, and our younger guests will have the treat of receiving a full introduction to the gang. These iconic figures hold an important place in our social and cultural history, and we are truly excited to host this world-famous exhibition,” Perkins said.

Visitors will be able to watch exclusive clips that are no longer aired on television, see Warner Bros. artifacts from the collections of Central Florida Warner Bros. enthusiasts, and participate in family-friendly, hands-on activities that help bring the animation process to life.

Special programming in conjunction with The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons:

January 25, 2014: Warner Bros. Exhibit Opening

6:30pm to 8:30pm

Hooray for Porky Pig, the Road Runner, and Tweety and Sylvester! Animation historian Jerry Beck (author, The 100 Greatest Looney Tunes Cartoons) will explain why these characters and films have become American cinema classics, while exploring the intertwined careers of the filmmakers who created them: Chuck Jones, Friz Freleng, and Bob Clampett. Join guest host Jerry Beck, animation historian and cartoon producer, as he goes behind the scenes of the Warner Bros. Cartoons franchise. Beginning with a cocktail reception at 6:30pm, followed by the program at 7pm, Jerry Beck will give an overview of the history of the Warner Bros. studio – by discussing each character and showing a film starring that character as he goes along. Free for members and $25 for non members.

Saturday, February 1, and Saturday, March 1, 2014

Saturday Morning Cartoons

Join us for pancakes at the History Center in your pajamas! Stay in your jammies Saturday morning and come down to the museum for pancakes, screenings of Warner Bros. cartoons, and a visit to the exhibition, The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons. 9-11 a.m. Members: $5 children ages 5-12, $10 adults, $20 per family (up to 2 adults and 4 children under 18). Non-members: $14 children ages 5-12, $18 adults, $36 per family. Children ages 4 and under free. Call 407-836-7010 to register.

February 15, 2014: Warner Bros. Valentine’s Day Date Night

7pm to 8:30pm

Join the History Center to celebrate Valentines Day! For adults only, this special evening is designed for a Valentine’s Day date night. With film shorts being shown such as The Stupid Cupid, Porky’s Romance, Porky’s Picnic, Carrotblanca, Of Rice and Hen, the Hare Splitter, Bugs Bunny’s Valentine, and A Hick, A Slick and a chick, couples will be able to experience an alternative idea to the typical Valentine’s day activities. With popcorn, wine, champagne, and chocolate being available, this date night will be one that goes down in history with the help of Warner Bros. Cartoons. Free for member and $15 for non members.

February 19, 2014: Home School Day- Outlaws, Mayhew, and Mischief!

10:00am to 12:00pm and 1:00pm to 3:00pm

Experience the legal process with a mock trial involving “looney” characters that have been up to no good! Learn about the judicial system, the workings of law enforcement, and what it takes to become a lawyer. Also, get ready for a surprise visit from Warner Bros. Cartoons’ beloved characters!

Members: $6 students, $3 adults. Non-members: $10 students, $6 adults. Children under 4 are free.

March 15, 2014: Exhibit Explorers- Cartoons and Cowboys

10:30am to 12:00pm

Dive into the exciting world of Warner Bros. characters and find the similarities of the cartoons with real Florida Cracker. Design your own cartoon character and travel back to when cattle roamed free and see if you have the skills to be a cowman! Price is $10. Members receive a 20% discount.

About Warner Bros. Cartoons

With the perfect combination of writers who could devise stories of gags and brilliant invention, directors that could execute the stories with perfect timing, and extremely gifted animators, painters, and designers, Warner Bros. Cartoons would eventually win six Academy Awards and create more cartoon stars than any other studio. Originally produced for screening in theaters in 1930, Warner Bros. Cartoons had more than 1,000 titles by the time the theatrical division shut down in 1969, making up a library of modern folklore. The Washington Post once described the artists behind the cartoons as “men who well may qualify as among the century’s great humorists.”

The Orange County Regional History Center, housed in a restored historic five-story 1927 courthouse in downtown Orlando, showcases the vast collection of the Historical Society of Central Florida, Inc. The museum features four floors of permanent exhibits and also presents nationally important limited-run exhibitions. The museum, a Smithsonian Institution affiliate, is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

The History Center is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. General admission is $15; seniors (60+), students, and military with I.D. $13; and children ages 5-12 $12. Historical Society Members and children ages 4 and under are free. Parking is available at the adjacent Orlando Public Library garage on Central Blvd. For general information, call (407) 836-8500 or visit www.thehistorycenter.org.