NEW YORK, NY (August 3, 2012)--The
Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art (MoCCA) and the Society of Illustrators
have announced plans for MoCCA to transfer its assets to the Society,
creating a single cultural institution supporting and
celebrating illustration, comics, and animation. This will give MoCCA a
long-desired street-level location, in the Society's building at 128 E.
63rd Street.
MoCCA, which celebrated its
tenth anniversary earlier this year, has long been a haven for comics
and cartoonists. MoCCA Trustee Jim Salicrup, Editor-in-Chief at
Papercutz, noted, "A cultural institution such as MoCCA, dedicated to
all forms of comic and cartoon art, was long overdue in New York City,"
adding that New York is the birthplace of American comics, as well as of
countless cartoonists. MoCCA fulfilled this mission in a variety of
ways, mounting exhibitions honoring legends of the medium, offering
master classes, hosting "MoCCA Thursday"
events, and holding the annual MoCCA Fest, one of the premier
independent comics festivals in the country.
Commenting on the transfer
of MoCCA's assets, including its permanent art collection and the MoCCA
Fest name, Society Executive Director Anelle Miller observed, "The
Society of Illustrators has a long, proud history of promoting the art
and appreciation of all genres of illustration. We are honored to be
able to spearhead the expansion and growth of the incredible foundation
that MoCCA has created over the past ten years." Artist and animator
Bill Plympton, a member of both institutions, called this new
development "a match made in cartoon heaven!"
For over 100 years, the
Society has been honored to number among their members cartoon and comic
industry icons including Will Eisner, Milton Caniff, Al Capp, Mort
Walker, Winsor McCay, Rube Goldberg, Chic Young, Ernie Bushmiller,
sports cartoonists Willard Mullin and Bill Gallo, and Al Jaffee, Mort
Drucker, and Jack Davis. Many of these artists are also represented in
the Society's Permanent Collection, as well as in their Hall of Fame,
along with Arnold Roth, Bill Mauldin, Frank Frazetta, and renowned
political cartoonist Thomas Nast.
The Society will continue
and expand MoCCA's mission in a number of ways: staging MoCCA Fest in
its current location, dedicating a gallery in the Society building to
MoCCA's Permanent Collection, continuing MoCCA programming, and
curating a special exhibition of works from MoCCA's Permanent Collection
in their Hall of Fame Gallery (on display March 5-May 4), which will
run in conjunction with a major exhibit, "The Comic Art of Harvey
Kurtzman," curated by graphic designer and comics-anthology editor Monte
Beauchamp. There will be extensive arts programming around both of
these exhibits, including lectures, workshops, film and music series.
Current MoCCA memberships will be honored at the Society of
Illustrators.
MoCCA President Ellen
Abramowitz added, "The Society of Illustrators is the perfect fit for
MoCCA and its members. MoCCA's fundamental principles will continue to
be guided by the steady hand of the Society and its terrific staff. The
two organizations are a wonderful match, where attendees, members, and
fans will have it all under one roof in New York City. To be welcomed
into the home of celebrated artists and publishers by a first-rate
organization will serve to ensure that the foundation upon which
MoCCA was built will continue to have a bright future."
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