Dedicated to preserving the art and legacy of Charles M. Schulz, the popular PEANUTS cartoon artist, the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center has been opened in Santa Rosa, California. The Museum is near Schulz's studio and across the street from the Redwood Empire Ice Arena (now called Snoopy's Home Ice); the two places where Schulz spent most of the last 30 years of his life. Highlights of the 27,384 square foot museum include a tile mural with an image of Charlie Brown running to kick the football held by Lucy that is composed of 3,588 tiles -- each with a different cartoon strip image; a 7000-pound morphing Snoopy sculpture that illustrates the evolution of Snoopy, beginning with Spike, Schulz's childhood pet and inspiration for the world-famous beagle; two galleries with permanent and changing exhibitions of original strips and memorabilia illustrating Schulz's career and his influence on the art of the comic strip; a re-creation of Schulz's studio work area; and a research library and archives. The Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center grand opening will run from August 17 - September 2, 2002 with special events planned at the museum and in the city of Santa Rosa. For advance tickets or more information, visit the Schulz Museum Website at www.schulzmuseum.org.
Bill Melendez looks back at working withCharles Schulz, or Sparky as his friends called him, and relays how they produced the classic Peanuts specials we all love.
