Arts & Culture

Famous syndicated cartoons to be exhibited at XL Projects

Thursday, September 23, 2010, By Erica Blust

A collection of famous syndicated cartoons—including originals drawn by three highly successful ϲ alumni—will be the focus of “The Original Art of the Funny Papers,” an exhibition that will run Oct. 6-31 at XL Projects, 307–313 S. Clinton St., ϲ. The show, which is free and open to the public, will include an opening reception on Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 6-8 p.m. Regular exhibition hours are Wednesday-Sunday, noon-6 p.m.

“The Original Art of the Funny Papers” spans the history of the American comic strip. It features 32 original strips from the SU Library’s Special Collections Research Center, including “Archie,” “Beetle Bailey,” “Prince Valiant,” “Mutt and Jeff,” “Blondie,” “Krazy Kat,” “Moon Mullins” and “Hazel.” It also includes more than 20 originals on special loan from SU alumni Brad Anderson ’51 (“Marmaduke”), Greg Walker ’72 (“Beetle Bailey”) and Robb Armstrong ’85 (“Jump Start”).

Anderson, Walker and Armstrong will be joined by cartoonist Bill Janocha ’81 (“Beetle Bailey”) and moderator Joe Glisson G’84 for the panel discussion “The Syndicated Cartoonists” on Thursday, Oct. 14, from 7-9 p.m. in Shemin Auditorium in the Dorothea Ilgen Shaffer Art Building. The cartoonists will discuss their careers, how they work and the business of cartooning. This event is free and open to the public. Paid parking is available for $4 in Booth Garage. To obtain the special rate, patrons should mention that they are attending the lecture.

“The funny papers were the beginning of my education as an artist,” says exhibition curator John Thompson, a professor of illustration in SU’s (VPA). “By bringing these original comic strips to XL Projects, it is my hope that fans of the comics, whether they are children, art students or adults, will begin to appreciate them as a great American art form, conceived and drawn on a daily basis.”

The exhibition and panel discussion are presented by VPA and are part of the University’s celebration, which takes place Oct. 14-17 on the SU campus. Orange Central includes class reunions, special group reunions and Homecoming, all rolled into one exciting weekend. For more information on Orange Central and an up-to-the-minute schedule of events and activities, visit .

XL Projects is the downtown ϲ venue of VPA. For more information about the exhibition, call (315) 442-2542 during gallery hours, or e-mail Thompson at jmthom01@syr.edu.