PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Davenport, Iowa (May 31, 2023) — Charlie Brown, Snoopy and the rest of the loveable Peanuts gang are kicking off summer 2023 at the Figge Art Museum in a can’t-miss exhibition. 

The Life and Art of Charles M. Schulz will make its Figge debut on Saturday, June 3 in the Figge’s third-floor gallery. Explore the personal history of Peanuts creator Charles Schulz and his role as the inspiration and artistic talent behind the famous comic strip and its unique cast of characters. Follow Schulz from his Minnesota roots to his life in California and see the development of the characters that make up the unique world of Peanuts we know today.

The Peanuts comic strip debuted October 2, 1950, and explored the emotional themes of everyday life, including friendship, disappointment, faith, and tolerance. Schulz’s drawings coupled with his storytelling transformed images of daily life into art that captured the humor, vulnerability, and dignity of the human spirit. Schulz’s persistent dedication to the art, wit, and wisdom of Peanuts revolutionized the art of the comic strip. For 50 years, he researched, wrote, designed, and drew each Peanuts strip that appeared in daily and Sunday newspapers, producing nearly 18,000 strips. “Schulz drew on everyday experiences to create entertaining comic strips that everyone can relate to,” said Assistant Curator Vanessa Sage. “Over a half-century after launching, the strip continues to make its mark all over the world.”

Appearing in just seven newspapers in 1950, the popularity of Peanuts and its influence spread quickly throughout the U.S. and the world. By 2000 it was the most successful comic strip in newspaper history, appearing in over 40 languages, in 75 countries, in more than 2,600 newspapers, and with over 355 million readers. The strip and its characters were also the inspiration for nearly 50 television specials, two plays, four movies, a symphonic concerto, numerous books, and thousands of licensed products. Peanuts products became a billion-dollar worldwide industry, and Schulz became the highest paid, most widely read cartoonist in history.

“Schulz’s remarkable ability to connect with his audience every single day for 50 years and stay relevant is a testament to his extraordinary talent,” said Figge Executive Director & CEO Michelle Hargrave. "From Snoopy, to Lucy, to Charlie Brown, the humorous anecdotes and lessons of Peanuts are timeless. The nostalgic experience this exhibition creates will resonate with visitors of all ages.”

Featured in the gallery will be fifty-two original Peanuts comic strips, sketches, photographs, and elements of Schulz’s studio that tell the full story of the pop culture favorite comic strip. A range of ephemera, including books, memorabilia, and toys will also be on display, many on loan from a Quad Cities area Peanuts collector.  

The Life and Art of Charles M. Schulz is curated by the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California, U.S.A. Local contributing sponsors include Connie and Chris Connolly, John Gardner and Cathy Weideman, GoGo Enterprises, LLC, and Xenotronics Company and media sponsor Quad-City Times.

The Life and Art of Charles M. Schulz will be on view in the Figge’s third floor gallery through September 2, 2023.

Companion Programs:
Cute Cartoon Workshop (ages 5-9)
Tuesday, May 30 | 5-6:30 p.m.
Members / Non-members $35
Students will learn to draw cute animals and characters along with creative basics, which will encourage drawing in the style that suits them. 

It’s an Adventure with Charlie Brown (ages 5-9)
Monday-Thursday, June 5-8 | 9:30-11 a.m.
Members $150 / Non-members $165
Experience an adventure with your favorite Peanuts characters! Students will paint birdhouses for Snoopy’s woodland friends, learn to draw their favorite characters, and more!

Curator Talk: Benjamin L. Clark
Thursday, July 15 | FREE Event
Member Reception 5 p.m. | Curator Talk 6:30 p.m.
Learn more about The Life and Art of Charles M. Schulz exhibition now on view by joining us for this talk led by Benjamin Clark, Curator at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California. Sponsored by Chris and Mary Rayburn.

Cartooning (ages 9-12)
Tuesday-Thursday, July 25-27 | 9:30-11 a.m.
Members $150 / Non-members $165
Create fun exciting, and loveable characters while learning drawing techniques. Students will outline their unique characters and use color to bring them to life.

Cartooning (ages 13-18)
Tuesday-Thursday, July 25-27 | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. 
Members $150 / Non-members $165
Create fun exciting, and loveable characters while learning drawing techniques. Students will outline their unique characters and use color to bring them to life.

FREE Film at the Figge: The Peanuts Movie (2015)
Thursday, August 10 | 6:30 p.m. | FREE Event
Spend your evening watching Charlie Brown and his lovable crew in this hit movie from 2015! This film is free to attend but seating is limited to 140 and will be on a first-come basis. Sponsored by Chris and Mary Rayburn.

Last Chance Exhibition Tour Night
Thursday, August 24, 5 p.m. | FREE Event
See the popular summer exhibitions before they leave! Tours will focus on The Life and Art of Charles M. Schulz, Worthy Counterparts, and Endless Flight. Sponsored by Chris and Mary Rayburn.

ABOUT THE CHARLES M. SCHULZ MUSEUM AND RESEARCH CENTER:
Open since 2002, the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center is located in Santa Rosa, California, U.S.A. and houses the largest collection of historical artifacts and original artwork by and about Charles M. Schulz in the world.  The Schulz Museum features more than 6,000 square feet of gallery space; a re-creation of Schulz’s studio office; outdoor gardens and exhibitions (including a Snoopy labyrinth and a kite-eating tree); a 100-seat theatre; a research library and archives; and an education building with hands-on activities and classes.  For more information on the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, please visit www.schulzmuseum.org.

ABOUT THE FIGGE ART MUSEUM:
The Figge Art Museum is dedicated to bringing art and people together. Located on the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport at 225 West Second Street, the Figge is the premier art exhibition and education facility between Chicago and Des Moines. Its landmark glass building, designed by British architect David Chipperfield, is home to one of the Midwest’s finest art collections and presents world-class exhibitions, art classes, lectures, and special events that attract visitors of all ages. Museum hours are 10 a.m.­­-5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Thursdays; and 12-5 p.m. on Sundays. Reservations are not required, but can be made at www.figgeartmuseum.org or by calling 563-345-6632. Admission to the museum is $10 for adults, $6 for seniors and students with ID and $4 children ages 4-12. Admission is free to Figge members and institutional members and to all on Thursday evenings. You can become a member for as little as $50 by visiting the Figge website. To contact the museum, please call 563.326.7804, or visit www.figgeartmuseum.org. 

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