Huth, Boeing, Salmon, & Haws Galleries

July 12 – September 29, 2024

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Lecture: 6:00-6:45 p.m. in the Great Hall
Reception: 7:00-8:00 p.m. in the Richard & Roper Room/Shields Gallery
Ticket fees: $35 members/ $55 non-members Cheese with a Cash Wine Bar
Speakers: Nancy & Hal Miles (founders of Animation Hall of Fame)

*SOLD OUT*

SpongeBob SquarePants, 1999. Original animation cel and replica background. Studio: Nickelodeon Animation Studios and Rough Draft Studios; Directors: Stephen McDannell Hillenburg, Derek Drymon, and Tom Yasumi; Producer: Donna Castricone; Animators: Tom Yasumi and Alan Smart. Vinyl paint and ink on celluloid, photo reproduction background. 9 x 12 in. From the collection of Nancy and Hal Miles. Image courtesy of the Animation Hall of Fame.

A Journey into Imagimation: Over 100 Years of Animation Art from Around the World

A Gumby Day, 16th episode of Gumby Adventures, 1988. Original clay animation puppets. Studio: Primavision Productions; Director: Arthur “Art” Clokey; Producers: Arthur “Art” Clokey; Animators: Harry V. Walton and Peter E. “Sneaky Pete” Kleinow. Plastilina clay. 7 x 6.5 x 5 in. From the collection of Nancy and Hal Miles. Image courtesy of the Animation Hall of Fame.

A Journey into Imagimation celebrates the ongoing history of animation production since the creation of this magical art form. The exhibition presents 140 rare and recognizable objects, including original cels, drawings, and models that feature a full range of animation techniques from the groundbreaking traditional animation of Gertie the Dinosaur, created by Winsor McCay in 1914, to many of today’s digitally supported animations, including The Simpsons and Toy Story.

This unique exhibition explores the elaborate and demanding creative processes of many of the groundbreaking animators. It also highlights the incredible amount of work and talent that went into animated productions for over a century.

Featured are the amazing creativity of animators Lotte Reiniger, George Pal, Ub Iwerks, Willis O’Brien, Chuck Jones, and Walt Disney, among others.

The exhibition includes well-recognized animations from such movies and cartoons as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Fantasia, Mighty Mouse, Tom & Jerry, Woody Woodpecker, Rocky and Bullwinkle, Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Jetsons, Mary Poppins, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, The Little Mermaid, The Simpsons, The Ren and Stimpy Show, The Lion King, The Nightmare Before Christmas, and Toy Story, as well as popular commercials for Raid, Pillsbury, Clearasil, and Lipton Brisk Ice Tea and the music video for Paula Abdul’s Opposites Attract.

Animation professionals and historians Nancy and Hal Miles have always had a love for animation art and admiration for the pioneers and artists who created it. From that love came a passion for collecting and saving the works from this wondrous art form. For the past 50 years individually and together, they have managed to collect and preserve these amazing works; amassing one of the largest private collections in the world. Join them as they discuss the trials and tribulations of finding, identifying, and properly storing and preserving this art form. Acknowledging its creators led to creating the nonprofit Animation Hall of Fame and The Journey into Imagimation traveling exhibit to share with you highlights of its international history, artists, and artwork.

A Journey into Imagimation was organized by Hal and Nancy Miles from the Hal and Nancy Miles Collection and toured by Landau Traveling Exhibitions, Los Angeles, CA.

Thank you, Sponsors!

Lead Sponsor:

President’s Circle:

Artist’s Circle:

Media Sponsor:

Additional Support:

Alabama State Council on the Arts 

Huntsville Museum of Art Guild