Past Exhibitions ● 2003

From Elzie C. Segar to Frank Wing: A Legacy Continued

August 16 through November 9, 2003
This exhibition took a look at some of the cartoonists who inspired Schulz from his childhood through his professional career. Beginning with the earliest influence—Billy DeBeck, whose character Spark Plug in the Barney Google strip was the source of Schulz’s early nickname of Sparky—many of the giants in cartoon history were represented in the exhibit.

Visitors to the exhibition saw original works by George Herriman (Krazy Kat), Milton Caniff (Steve Canyon), Al Capp (Li’l Abner) and Hal Foster (Prince Valiant). A broad range of styles from the first half of the 20th century were represented in the show, from Roy Crane (Wash Tubbs, Captain Easy) and J.R. Williams (Out Our Way) to Elzie “E.C.” Segar (Thimble Theatre, Popeye) and Bill Mauldin (Willie and Joe).  In addition to original art and tear sheets from newspapers, the exhibit included three-dimensional collectibles associated with some of the cartoon strips as well as the original drawing board of Elzie Segar, creator of Popeye.