Totoro Forest Project Reception

The Cartoon Art Museum will present original works of art from The Totoro Forest Project Charity Auction, a once-in-a-lifetime exhibition featuring paintings, illustrations and sculptures from nearly 200 critically acclaimed animators, fine artists, cartoonists and illustrators. All of the artwork featured in the exhibition was inspired by Hayao Miyazaki's iconic animated feature film MY NEIGHBOR TORORO. The artwork was auctioned at a fund raising event at Pixar Animation Studios on September 6, 2008, and raised over $200,000 for the Totoro no Furusato National Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of Japan's Sayama Forest. The first installment of the Totoro Forest Project exhibition runs through January 18, 2009. The second installment runs from Saturday, December 6, 2008 through February 8, 2009, and visitors will be able to see the entire selection of artwork from December 6, 2008 through January 18, 2009. The opening reception for the Totoro Forest Project will be held on Tuesday, December 16, 2008, from 7 to 9 p.m. This reception is free and open to the public. Special guests include the Totoro Forest Project executive committee: Pixar Animation Studios artists Dice Tsutsumi, Enrico Casarosa and Ronnie Del Carmen, plus Yukino Pang of San Francisco's Asian Art Museum. Several artists whose work is included in the exhibition, including many artists from Pixar Animation Studios, will also be in attendance. Copies of the limited edition Totoro Forest Project auction catalog will be on sale the night of the event. Supplies will be limited to one purchase per customer, and are expected to sell out quickly. Green tea for the reception will be provided courtesy of Samovar Tea Lounge (www.samovartea.com [1]).