Museum of the Rockies will open its newest exhibit, The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons, on Saturday, September 19th. The exhibit will run through January 31st, 2016. The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons is a major exhibition of original artwork from the world of “Looney Tunes” and “Merrie Melodies.” It is a colorful, comical overview of the rambunctious Hollywood animation studio that created legendary cartoon characters that have become part of American folklore–from Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd to Tweety Bird, Porky Pig, Wile E. Coyote and Roadrunner.
Visitors will see actual production artwork–drawings, paintings, “cells” and more–used in some of the most beloved cartoons from the 1930s to the early 1960s. Works by all of the studio’s directors, including Chuck Jones, Tex Avery, Friz Freleng and Bob Clampett, now considered the giants of American animated filmmakers, are richly represented in some 165 pieces of artwork and other related art objects. Never intended to be displayed, these works all reveal the remarkable talent and ingenuity that was hidden within the finished films, and all are marvelous visual icons by themselves. The exhibition also explores the elaborate creative process that supported the making of these masterpieces of humor and satire. The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons at Museum of the Rockies will merrily entertain all ages today as much as these memorable cartoons did decades ago. Members can enjoy a sneak preview of this newest exhibit before it opens to the public! It’s just one of the many benefits of your MOR Membership. The Members Only Opening will be held Friday, September 18th from 5–7pm. Saisson and the Brewing Traditions of Belgium with Outlaw Brewing Company & MAP Brewing will be held Tuesday, September 15th at the Living History Farm from 5:30–7:30pm. This is the final event in the 2015 Hops & History Series! Originating in Belgium, Saisson is a farmhouse style of ale that was brewed during the winter months for summer drinking. This event will look at this variety and also learn about Belgium’s long tradition of brewing distinctive beer and ales. We have recently seen some very interesting (and delicious) Belgian style ales coming from Montana breweries. Learn how, and when, to seek them out. The $8 admission includes a free glass and beer tasting for those 21 and older. Please note, space is limited and admission is on a first-come, first-serve basis. From Earth to the Universe opens Saturday, September 19th at the Taylor Planetarium! A desire to comprehend the Universe may well be humanity’s oldest shared intellectual experience.
Yet only recently have we truly begun to grasp our place in the vast cosmos. To learn about this journey of celestial discovery, from the theories of ancient Greek astronomers to today’s grandest telescopes, you are invited to experience this new show from the European Space Organization. Showtimes are: Monday through Friday at 11am, 1 & 3pm, Saturday and Sunday at 1, 2, and 4pm. Don’t miss a special viewing of the coming Lunar Eclipse! The final of the four “tetrad” eclipses will occur on Sunday, September 27th. The Moon will rise already partially eclipsed, and we will see a total eclipse from 8:11 to 9:23pm. We will not see another total lunar eclipse in Montana until 2018. Join the viewing party at the Museum to watch the eclipse through telescopes between 7:30 and 10:30pm (weather permitting). MOR is pleased to host the Extreme History Project lecture series that encourages public understanding of the way our history has shaped our present. Speakers will take a fresh look at intriguing historical topics. This month’s lecture is Chinese in Montana: The Forgotten Pioneers.
This event will take place Thursday, September 17th from 6–7pm in the Hager Auditorium with presenter Ellen Baumler. Elise R. Donohue Lectures of the American West, In Memory of Walter S. Rosenberry presents Albert Gallatin, the Exploration of Louisiana Territory and the Creation of Montana on Tuesday, September 22nd from 7–9pm in the Hager Auditorium with presenter Ron Duquette. Albert Gallatin is a well-known name here in Montana, but America’s longest serving Secretary of the Treasury never actually visited the area. Join in for an evening with Ron Duquette who presents his first-person portrayal of Gallatin and learn how this extraordinary man helped shape the face of the American West, and our own little piece of it here in the northern Rockies. Mr. Duquette has been bringing Albert Gallatin to life for several years at venues such as the National Constitution Center, the Swiss Embassy and Consulate General, and the US State Department. Museum of the Rockies is both a college-level division of Montana State University and an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit institution. Accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, MOR is one of just 776 museums to hold this distinction from the more than 17,500 museums nationwide.
The Museum is also a Smithsonian Institution affiliate and a federal repository for fossils. Using the past and present, Museum of the Rockies inspires life-long learning in science, history, culture, and art; advances knowledge through collections, research and discovery; and presents engaging, vibrant exhibits and programming. MOR brings the world to Montana and Montana to the world. For more information visit museumoftherockies.org or call 406.994.2652. •
