March 10th, 2020 
Jackson Murphy 
The latest stop for long-running exhibit “The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons” is near my neck of the woods at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield, MA. The showcase of more than 160 pieces from curators Steve Schneider and Jesse G. Wright, Jr., is now on display through May 10th.
Berkshire Museum Executive Director Jeff Rodgers is thrilled to have the exhibit, which has attracted diehard Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies fans — and at least a school group a day — since its debut on January 25th.
“We wanted to have some fun in the museum… some fun in the community,” Rodgers said. “But there are also some really important themes: artistic themes, historical themes, science themes, Americana themes, mythological themes… that are embedded in a show like this.”
There are two galleries of cels, sketches and other rare pieces of artwork, accompanied by fun fact displays about real bunnies, coyotes and roadrunners and details on how the cartoons were made. The museum also used a large format printer to add-on vinyl stickers of ACME boxes and dozens of characters, from Bugs & Daffy to Tweety & Sylvester. That seems like a decent amount of work, but as Rodgers pointed out, “It wasn’t hard to get the staff excited to have fun with Looney Tunes and Merry Melodies.”
Interactive playroom lightbox
Along with the galleries is a playroom where anyone can trace and sketch their favorite characters, learn how to create backgrounds and make their own quick cartoons. “We’ve seen multigenerational audiences come in,” Rodgers said. “Grandparents sharing their favorite cartoons and favorite cartoon characters with their grandchildren. Adults coming in and remembering, like I remember the Peter Lorre and Edward G. Robinson [drawings], and telling stories to each other. That’s the kind of experience you want to have at a museum. And this exhibition has been fantastic for that kind of interaction.”
Rodgers recalls watching WB cartoons with his siblings during his childhood. “It’s what you did on Saturday mornings. It was a part of life. It’s something you would look forward to.” He also thinks there’s a draw to the Looney Tunes crew that you won’t find with the gang at the House of Mouse. “They’re always gonna be relatable characters. They are every-men. They are us.”
Bugs Bunny Cel – SLICK HARE, 1947 – Dir. Friz Freleng
While all the art objects come from private collections, Warner Bros. provided the licensing for the museum to show some classic cartoons at special Saturday morning screenings in their 250-seat “Little Cinema.” The showings have even inspired some attendees to dress in their PJs.
But that’s not all folks. One of the other perks about seeing “The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons”: admission to the Berkshire Museum is FREE for children 17 & under.
Bosko Model Sheet – ca. 1930
“The day we [opened] the exhibition, we marched these two Kindergarten classes through. And their eyes lit-up with recognition of the characters that they were seeing,” Rodgers said. “So for me, this is a whole generation that has not been disconnected from these great American cartoons – and everything that they stand for. I love seeing the kids love these cartoons and characters. I’m so happy that they remain a part of the way we think about our cartoon universe in America.”
For more info, visit berkshiremuseum.org, or call (413) 443-7171.
Edward G. Robinson, Clark Gable, Peter Lorre Cels – HOLLYWOOD STEPS OUT, 1941 – Dir. Tex Avery
Sniffles Promo Paintings – ca. 1939 (left), ca. 1945 (right) – Dir. Chuck Jones
Model Sheet – THE DUCKTATORS, 1942. Artist – John Carey
Two Concept Paintings – WHAT’S OPERA, DOC?,1957. Artist – Maurice Noble. Dir. – Chuck Jones
Bugs Bunny Model Sheet Wall
Me and Jeff Rodgers
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