Press Releases for Drawn in Black and White:Wee Pals and the Work of Morrie Turner
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ToonSeum at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
Contact: Joe Wos 412-325-1060
Email:joe@toonseum.com
The ToonSeum — Pittsburgh’s museum of cartoon art — is honored to celebrate Black History Month with “Drawn in Black and White: Wee Pals and the Works of Morrie Turner." The exhibit opens Jan. 18 and runs through Feb. 27, 2008.
Turner created the ground-breaking comic strip Wee Pals, the first nationally syndicated strip to feature an integrated cast of characters. The living legend of the cartoon arts world is considered the “Jackie Robinson” of the funny pages. His work has influenced many minority cartoonists.
The exhibit will feature original artwork by Turner, including panel cartoons and comic strips on loan from The Museum of Cartoon Art in San Francisco, The Rose Marie McDaniel and Mark Cohen Collection and the Joe Wos Collection. Also on display will be original works featuring African-American characters, including Fat Albert, Sesame Street, School House Rocks and others.
Turner broke into the business in 1947 when he sold a cartoon to Baker’s Helper magazine for $5. Throughout the 1950s and 60s, he freelanced for black publications such as Negro Digest, Ebony, Black World and the Chicago Defender as well as magazines like Better Homes and Gardens and True. Turner created the comic strip Wee Pals in 1965. The strip featured kids of different races, backgrounds and abilities who didn't always agree with each other, but did always respect their differences. At the time, introducing black characters on the comics page was no easy task. Wee Pals appeared in only five major newspapers when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. However, within three months of King’s death, the strip was appearing in more than 100 newspapers and had achieved nationwide acceptance. The success of the strip led to dozens of books, toys, greeting cards and an animated television cartoon series, Kid Power. Turner coined the phrase “Rainbow Power,” which to him means the power of all colors working together.
With nimble word play, a deceptively simple drawing style, and a clear perception and love of humanity, Turner shows us a world where people can live, learn, work and play together regardless of racial, religious or physical differences.
The exhibit is made possible by Jean Schulz, The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Rose Marie McDaniel, The Cartoon Art Museum San Francisco and The ToonSeum Drawing Board Fund.
The ToonSeum is housed inside the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, located at 10 Children's Way on the North Side and is included with the price of museum admission.
For images or to arrange an interview with Morrie Turner, please contact ToonSeum Executive Director, Joe Wos at 412-325-1060.
Release 2
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ToonSeum at the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh
Contact: Joe Wos 412-325-1060
Email:joe@toonseum.com
The ToonSeum — Pittsburgh’s museum of cartoon art — is honored to celebrate Black History Month with a visit from legendary cartoonist Morrie Turner, creator of Wee Pals.
Turner will visit on Saturday, Feb. 16, in celebration of ToonSeum’s new exhibit “Drawn in Black and White: Wee Pals and the Works of Morrie Turner.” The exhibit runs through Feb. 27, 2008.
Joining Turner at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 16, for a panel discussion on African-Americans in Comics and Cartoons will be Robb Armstrong, creator of the comic strip Jump Start, and former editorial cartoonist Don Peoples. There will be a meet-and-greet reception following the panel discussion.
Morrie Turner and Robb Armstrong will be onhand from 12 to 5 p.m. for demonstrations and signings.
Turner created the ground-breaking comic strip Wee Pals, the first nationally syndicated strip to feature an integrated cast of characters. This living legend of the cartoon arts world is considered the “Jackie Robinson” of the funny pages. His work has influenced many minority cartoonists.
The exhibit features original artwork by Turner, including panel cartoons and comic strips on loan from The Museum of Cartoon Art in San Francisco, The Rose Marie McDaniel and Mark Cohen Collection and the Joe Wos Collection. Also on display will be original works featuring African-American characters, including Jump Start, Fat Albert, Sesame Street, School House Rocks and others.
Turner created the comic strip Wee Pals in 1965. The strip featured kids of different races, backgrounds and abilities who didn't always agree with each other, but did always respect their differences. At the time, introducing black characters on the comics page was no easy task. Wee Pals appeared in only five major newspapers when Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated in 1968. However, within three months of King’s death, the strip was appearing in more than 100 newspapers and had achieved nationwide acceptance. The success of the strip led to dozens of books, toys, greeting cards and an animated television cartoon series, Kid Power. Turner coined the phrase “Rainbow Power,” which to him means the power of all colors working together.
Armstrong’s comic strip Jump Start portrays a loving African-American couple raising a family. Its themes are universal, and its positive, humorous and yet realistic portrayal of an African-American family has earned it accolades. Jump Start appears in newspapers nationwide.
The exhibit is made possible by Jean Schulz, The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, The Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, Rose Marie McDaniel, The Cartoon Art Museum San Francisco and The ToonSeum Drawing Board Fund.
The ToonSeum is housed inside the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, located at 10 Children's Way on the North Side and is included with the price of museum admission.
Admission to the panel discussion is free and open to the public.
For images or to arrange an interview with Morrie Turner, please contact ToonSeum Executive Director Joe Wos at 412-325-1060.
Who: Guest of honor Morrie Turner and special guests Robb Armstrong and Don Peoples
What: Workshops, demonstrations and signings from 12 to 5 p.m. as part of the exhibit “Black and White: Wee Pals and the Works of Morrie Turner”; panel discussion on African Americans in the cartoon arts at 3 p.m. in the Children’s Museum Theater, with a reception to follow.
When: Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008
Where: ToonSeum at the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh, 10 Children’s Way, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Cost: Exhibit is included with paid admission to the Children’s Museum; panel discussion is free. Museum admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors and children 2 to 18, and free for younger than 2.
Details: Joe Wos, ToonSeum executive director, at 412-325-1060
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