The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons Exhibit Arrives in Orlando – Now Through March 23rd, 2014
Hi everyone!
We had the opportunity to preview The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons exhibit at the Orange County Regional History Center! It was a pretty great experience to see the drawings, cels and cartoons that I grew up with. The Orange County Regional History Center is located in Downtown Orlando, and houses quite a few interesting exhibits – plan for several hours! We interviewed Curator of Collections Cynthia Melendez about The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons, which runs through March 23, 2014.
The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons is from an exhibition created by the Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY. We took photos of the artwork, those are (c) Warner Bros. Inc.
The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons contains about 160 drawings and cels, created by the Warner Brothers Studios at the height of it’s popularity.
Here is our video interview, followed by a few of the questions in print.
MS: What are some of the most special pieces here?
CM: For me, as curator, the pencil drawings are the most interesting. In order to create cels, there is a lot of work that needs to be done, and a lot of painting that needs to be done. But the pencil drawings really show the skill of the artist, you can really see erase marks. In particular there is a pencil drawing of Bugs Bunny as a mermaid.
(c) Warner Bros. Inc.
MS: How did you end up hosting The Art of Warner Brothers?
CM: This is a traveling exhibit, we didn’t curate this in-house. It has been traveling all over the country. When we aren’t hosting our own exhibits that we create ourselves, we look for traveling exhibits to bring in, and this one was traveling the country. A lot of the pieces here were originally on display in New York City, and before that in Arizona. This has been making the rounds all over the country, so we were excited to get it. It’s the only stop in Central Florida, and I believe it is the only stop in Florida for this exhibit.
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.
(c) Warner Bros. Inc.
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.
(c) Warner Bros. Inc.
February 19, 2014: Home School Day- Outlaws, Mayhem, 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.
(c) Warner Bros. Inc.
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 Crackers. 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.
The Orange County Regional History Center Special is open is open 10 a.m.- 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from noon- 5 p.m. on Sunday. Exhibition prices: general admission $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.