New Year's Eve Up/Down Balloon Drop :: December 31, 2010
I stood on the Museum's Mezzanine overlooking a smiling crowd of
children and adults waiting to toast in the New Year. With microphone in
hand, I had been chosen to perform the countdown for the Museum's New
Year's Celebration.
A cheer went up as Snoopy parted the crowd leading The March of the Balloons in the Museum's Great Hall.
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| Snoopy leading The March of the Balloons |
Marchers release their balloons |
We counted down, 10...Snoopy released a bunch of balloons, 9...A child balloon-tender released another set of balloons, 8...More balloons, and so on. After the #1 balloon-tender let her balloons free, the crowd cheered.
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| Jean Schulz signals for the release of the balloons |
Balloons dropping from the ceiling |
Balloons hitting the crowd |
I gave the signal and over 450 balloons (some shaped like dogs) fell to the excited and patient guests below. A root beer toast was the final act in ringing in our Noon-time celebration.
We certainly had fun, and our guests did, too. We are already planning a bigger and better New Year's Celebration for December 31, 2011!
—Jean Schulz
Museum Staff Christmas Party :: December 2010
The Museum staff kicked off the holiday season with lunch at a local Italian restaurant. It was full of conversation, laughter, and the opportunity to find out some things we didn't know about each other.
Above is Karen Johnson, our esteemed Museum Director, with a much-loved Snoopy plush.
Below is the card that elicited a wonderful laugh from her. . .that got us all laughing, too!
Now, it is back to work preparing for a two-week run of daily classes and special weekend activities such as making gingerbread doghouses, creating a film with students’ handmade puppets, and making a stop-motion animated short.
The glorious culmination of the Museum's holiday activities will be our first ever UP/DOWN balloon drop on December 31st. At noon on that day, Snoopy will lead visitors in a New Year’s toast with his favorite beverage (guess what?). Please look forward to pictures here in the New Year.
—Jean Schulz
California Dreaming at the Schulz Museum :: November 2010
I always enjoy seeing Japanese visitors here at the Museum because they seem very eager to learn more about Sparky, his art, and the stories that make up the history of the Peanuts Gang. So it was with great pleasure that we greeted the crew of a Japanese nationwide travel special called "California Dreaming." It is showcasing the new direct flight between Tokyo's Narita International Airport and San Francisco. I spoke with the host of the show, the lovely Tiara, who told me her parents gave her the English name meaning "crown."
My answers to her questions will be translated for the program. The crew also took pictures of Japanese artist Yoshiteru Otani's Morphing Snoopy wood sculpture in the Great Hall, Schulz's Studio exhibition, and animating with the zoetrope in the Education Room.
The Japanese crew came to the Museum in the afternoon after filming a visit on the Napa Valley Wine Train.
—Jean Schulz
Research at the Museum :: November 2010
Stephen Lind, a PhD candidate in the Rhetorics, Communication, and Information Design (RCID) Department of Clemson University, visited the Museum in November to work in the Research Center with our archivist, Lisa Monhoff (not shown).
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| Jean Schulz With Stephen Lind in the Schulz Museum Research Center |
Mr. Lind previously published an article in Image Text, an online academic journal. The title of the article is the same as the working title of his dissertation, Reading Peanuts: The Secular and the Sacred.
We expect to see Mr. Lind back for another visit in 2011. A member of Mr. Lind’s dissertation panel is Sparky’s friend and frequent visitor to Santa Rosa, Thomas Inge, who is also the editor of Charles Schulz: Conversations and Charles Schulz: My Life with Charlie Brown.
—Jean Schulz
Japanese Travel Show :: October 22, 2010
We are very proud that the Charles M. Schulz Museum is one of the California attractions that will be featured on an upcoming Japanese travel show. On Friday, the film crew shot the Museum's permanent exhibitions, Sparky's studio, and original Peanuts strips, as well as an interview with me. They also filmed the Swiss chalet exterior of the ice arena that Sparky built across the street. It is exciting to think that they will most likely emphasize the family fun that is possible here in Santa Rosa.
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| Jean Schulz being filmed in the recreated studio of Charles Schulz at the Charles M. Schulz Museum for a Japanese travel show. |
—Jean Schulz
Festival of Cartoon Art ::
Ohio State University
October 2010
I am wishing all my cartoon-enthusiast friends could be here at Ohio State University for the Festival of Cartoon Art, which this year is celebrating the 100th anniversary of Krazy Kat. The first day featured a series of academic talks with a major portion dedicated to cartoonist George Herriman and his comic heroes, Krazy Kat and Ignatz. As my husband said, Krazy Kat "did much to inspire me to create a feature that went beyond the mere actions of ordinary children."
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| Jean Schulz with the 2001 winner of the Charles M. Schulz award, Nate Beeler, and Sue Porter, the Vice President of Programs at the Scripps Howard Foundation, who sponsors the award. |
During a dinner at the home of Gordon Gee, the President of Ohio State University, we listened to the music of Vince Guaraldi and of Clark Gesner, who wrote and composed Happiness as well as the rest of the music for the musical You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Listening to their music, I am reminded how much of the wonderful feelings surrounding Peanuts and Sparky come from the pens of others. It is tremendous to think of the joy that both Guaraldi and Gesner have brought to our world.
—Jean Schulz
Unveiling of Sparky's Portrait at the National Portrait Gallery Washington, D.C. :: October 1, 2010
The Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery honored all of us who loved Sparky and continue to love his creation, Peanuts, with the installation of a photographic portrait taken in 1986 by renowned Canadian photographer, Yousuf Karsh. The image was donated to the National Portrait Gallery by Yousuf's widow, Estrellita.
A group of Santa Rosa friends, Peanuts fans from near and far, cartoonist colleagues, and family members (and of course Snoopy!) joined in the celebration at the National Portrait Gallery.
—Jean Schulz
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| The induction ceremony celebrated the legacies of two enduring artists, Sparky and Yousuf Karsh. Though short, the presentation featured memorable speeches from (left to right): Martin Sullivan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery; the lovely Mrs. Estrellita Karsh, widow of Yousuf Karsh; Lee Mendelson, producer of the Peanuts animated specials; Snoopy, who, though he did not speak, embodied the love and humor of the morning; Jean Schulz; and Ed Anderson, long-time friend and attorney to Sparky as well as a founding Board Member of the Museum. |
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| Sparky’s children, Jill (far left) and Craig (far right), were also in attendance (seen here with Jean Schulz, Snoopy, and Estrellita Karsh). |
Jean Schulz on the Today Show
September 29, 2010
It felt very comfortable to be sitting with Al Roker on Wednesday morning talking about Sparky and the Museum. When they first met, Al told Sparky how much he enjoyed Peanuts and confessed that he had wanted to be a cartoonist at one point in his life. I think that formed a bond between them, which I know Sparky always felt.
When the Museum opened in 2002, Al came to Santa Rosa to film a live segment. Of course, that made all of us here his fans forever.
For this segment, Al began with a description of Peanuts Collection: Treasures from the World's Most Beloved Comic Strip, which led me right into a discussion of the Museum and preserving Sparky's legacy.
>> CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TODAY SHOW SEGMENT
—Jean Schulz
Under the Old Oak Tree :: Schulz Museum
September 2010
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It pleased me so much to see these visitors taking advantage of this shady spot on a hot afternoon.
We have a paucity of shady spots for visitors to sit outside in front of the Museum. I found this small bench one day and placed it under the Oak tree.
When I asked if I could photograph them, I said I would like to show it on my blog. It is a wonderful example of different generations enjoying the Museum together.
—Jean Schulz
Charlie Brown's Ordeal with the EPA
August 2010
There is an expression Sparky loved, it is Esprit d'escalier. The idea is that you remember, as you are going up the stairs, the pithy, clever remark that you were not quick enough to say in the moment. That always happens to me when I see the installation of our exhibitions. It is the most exciting time in our Museum—seeing what we have planned and talked about for months finally materialize in our galleries.
However...I always look at the finished product and discover something new that is instantly apparent to me, and though I want to share it with our visitors, it is by that point too late (and sometimes too wordy) to get in the exhibition text.
This happened to me when I saw the first part of the installation for our newest exhibition, Peanuts…Naturally.
This exhibit has selected strips from a 1977 storyline in which Charlie Brown is complaining to the Kite-Eating Tree about its habits; he winds up getting so angry that he bites the tree in revenge!
 February 25, 1977 |
The first few days the strips of Charlie Brown talking to the tree are interspersed with Snoopy strips, but on March 1st, the story of Charlie Brown getting a letter of complaint from the newly authorized EPA continues for 10 days with Charlie Brown eventually running away from home.
 March 1, 1977 |
The story continues for another 17 days as Charlie Brown meets some children from another neighborhood who are playing baseball. They are looking for an older person to coach their team.
 March 16, 1977 |
So the question has always been: did Sparky plan out the whole story before he began? The answer is, no—it evolved. Sparky often remarked that he got an idea and followed it as long as he continued thinking of funny daily extensions.
For this storyline I remember him telling me that at the "running away" point he wondered about where Charlie Brown might end up. And the idea of him wandering to another part of town and meeting little kids from another neighborhood seemed like fruitful territory to mine. So he got another two weeks of strips out of the storyline and introduced Austin, Leland, Milo, and Ruby, some of the kids from the other part of town.
—Jean Schulz
Wine Making with Jean Schulz :: Sonoma County, California
August 2010
At our various Museum events, our members have truly enjoyed sharing the wines I have made as part of a wine club. We have served Museum Merlot (a red wine) and Flying Ace White (a chardonnay) at some of our member functions in the past year.
The wine club I belong to is run by Lindsay Austin, whose facility is called Kings Hill Cellars. Lindsay sources the grapes and has chosen great vineyards with a history of flavorful fruit. We crush, press, choose the type of fermentation, and later do the blending. (For example, this year I chose to blend 5% Syrah with the Merlot). This is after the mixture has been in oak or stainless steel containers for 6 months.
The last step is the bottling, which we did last weekend.
Expect to taste some of these wines at upcoming Museum events (but not too soon—as we will serve no wine before its time!).
I have lived in "wine country" for 45 years and have taken many winery tours. However, until I did the process myself, the explanations from the tours were just so many words. Now I can talk about it from experience, which is what I like.
For more images, check out the Schulz Museum’s Facebook page.
—Jean Schulz
Comic Con 2010 :: San Diego, California
July 2010
Schulz Museum staff members joined the staff of Peanuts Worldwide, LLC from New York to work at our popular Peanuts booth at Comic Con in San Diego this past weekend. Thousands of people stopped by the booth to purchase exclusive Peanuts-themed Comic-Con product and to say hello to Snoopy, who appeared every day of the event. Snoopy also joined me as I traveled to various TV interviews around San Diego. Snoopy, as usual, stole the show...and I am always happy to have him do so!
Friday afternoon there was a panel celebrating "60 Years of Peanuts" and describing new Peanuts animation on the horizon. The panel was moderated by animation historian Jerry Beck and included me, Paige Braddock (Creative Director of Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates in Santa Rosa), Stephan Pastis (creator of Pearls Before Swine), Marge Dean (General Manager of Wildbrain Studios), and Andy Beall (animation lead for Creative Associates). Andy has many animation credits, most recently with Pixar Studios. It was a typical Peanuts crowd, including parents with children of all ages.
Andy gave a wonderful discussion of how he, the animators, and the color stylists modeled the characters and the backgrounds to mirror the classic 1960s Peanuts animation style. He also discussed the music for the animation, which was created by Mark Mothersbaugh. The newest animated special will be released in 2011. The panel ended with a question and answer period.
On Friday night we attended the annual Eisner Awards, which distinguish artists, writers, publishers, and distributors in the field. One of the traditional Eisner awards is the Bob Clampett Humanitarian Award, given in memory of the famed animator (he created Beany and Cecil for Warner Bros. Cartoons). I was stunned and honored when I realized that I was being called up for this award. Bob's daughter, Ruth, presented me with the award—a perfect end for a long and eventful day.
—Jean Schulz
More Flying with Jeannie :: Sonoma County, California
July 2010
I invited the Schulz Museum staff members to share my passion for the trapeze. Flying on a trapeze is much like a ropes course; it is both exhilarating and frightening!
—Jean Schulz
 Dinah Houghtaling, Traveling Exhibits Manager, is a natural on the trapeze. Here she is "caught" by the trapeze professionals helping the group. |
 Toma Day, Museum Facilities Manager, watches his son take a swing |
 The trapeze platform is very high among the tree tops |
 Kathy Smeaton, from the Collections Department, grabs the trapeze swing |
 Anne Knight, In-House Exhibits Manager, swings out while Lisa Monhoff, Museum Archivist, waits her turn |
 A look of determination crosses Jeff Hollister's face (Program and Floor Coordinator) as he contemplates the feat ahead of him— swinging out into the abyss |
BeagleFest X :: Santa Rosa, California
July 1-4, 2010
Over 150 Peanuts fans belonging to the Peanuts Collectors Club visited the Museum and the rest of the Schulz Complex over the 4th of July weekend. The BeagleFesters are a wonderful group of people who have a passion for all things Peanuts, and most of them are return visitors to Santa Rosa and the Museum. Many are also Museum members and a few are even Major Donors. We are grateful for all of their support!
 BeagleFest guests in the Museum's Great Hall |
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Friday night the group visited the Museum for an evening of personal tours and a shopping fest of vintage Determined Productions product. All of these sales benefitted the Museum and, once again, the support is gratefully received.
Snoopy was present for all events and even bowled with the guests on Thursday night at Double Decker Lanes in Rohnert Park.
Here are some photos from BeagleFest X. For more images, check out the Schulz Museum’s Facebook page.
—Jean Schulz
 Snoopy talks things over with a Canine Companions dog. |
 Snoopy throws a strike! |
 The BeagleFest group also got a special treat with an ice skating show— featuring Snoopy! |
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Summer Solstice at the Schulz Museum :: Santa Rosa, California
June 21, 2010
Museum volunteers and board members gathered in the Snoopy Labyrinth in the front grounds of the Museum early on Monday morning to watch the first rays of the summer solstice sun shine over the ice arena and onto Snoopy's eye...
—Jean Schulz
 Waiting for the sun... |
 The sun peaking through the trees... |
 Waiting for the sun to hit Snoopy's nose... |
 The sun hitting Snoopy's nose... |
 And finally, walking out of the Labyrinth. |
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Agents Summit :: Santa Rosa, California
May 2010
The official signing of the papers creating the brand "Peanuts Worldwide, LLC" just happened to coincide with a meeting of Peanuts agents from around the world. The agents were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum, and they each shared their plans for the up-coming 60th Anniversary of Peanuts. There was also plenty of time for them to get to know each other and discuss issues of mutual interest.
Mr. Neal Cole of Iconix and I greeted the group of agents at the welcome gathering on Friday night, and we toasted our partnership at the Saturday night dinner. And of course, Snoopy was there to share in the celebration and happiness for which he is well [best?] known!
—Jean Schulz
 Guests at the Peanuts Worldwide, LLC Agents Dinner |
 Snoopy greeting guests at the Peanuts Worldwide, LLC Agents Dinner |
 Lee Mendelson, Snoopy, and Diego Barassi (our representative from Mexico) |
 Snoopy "hamming it up" with the string quartet |
 Ibrahim & Youness from Dubai, Craig Schulz, and Hye Seop & Sunphil Suki from Korea |
 Representatives from Korea, China, and Indonesia with Stephanie Samuelsof Creative Associates |
Flying with Jeannie :: Sonoma County, California
May 2010
Flying trapeze has been a passion of mine for about 15 years. Having done it that long, I should be starring in the circus; I am not, but I love it as much as if I were. And one thing about a passion is that one likes to share it. We have many young employees at the Museum, and a group of them joined me for a lesson on a sunny Saturday in May—everyone had a good time. We are planning another session in the summer, so look for more pictures.
—Jean Schulz
 Jean Schulz getting ready to fly |
 Jean Schulz in the air |
 Pre-flight instructions for Greg Knight and his daughter, Gina Huntsinger, Jessica Ruskin, and Renee & Paul Donman |
 Jessica Ruskin in flight |
 Renee Donmom gets ready to take off |
 Renee Donmon in the net |
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"Look Ma, No Safety Lines" Jean Schulz and Sam Keen (left, circa 2001) are known in their trapeze circles "chronologically-challenged frequent fliers." As Jeannie says, they represent more than 130 years of hanging in there together. |
USAF Commanders Concert at the Schulz Complex
May 16, 2010
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The Air Force band from Travis Air Force Base gave an outstanding jazz concert Sunday afternoon, May 16th, on the baseball field near the Schulz Museum. The USAF Band of the Golden West's jazz ensemble, The Commanders, presented the concert that featured the music of Vince Guaraldi, including several Peanuts favorites. Over a hundred people showed up despite a chilly evening!
—Jean Schulz
 A little girl dancing to the music seemed to capture everyone's mood... |
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Charles M. Schulz Museum Board Meeting :: Santa Rosa, California
April 27, 2010
The Schulz Museum is governed by a Board of Directors that meets twice each year. The Executive Committee meets between board meetings to do business as it arises. The Schulz Museum Board recently met in Santa Rosa, and the following day several board members and Museum staff visited the Disney Museum in the Presidio in San Francisco.
—Jean Schulz
From left to right: Randy Pennington, Rose Marie McDaniel, Lucy Shelton Caswell, Karen O'Connell,
Patrick McDonnell, Jean Schulz, Chuck Bartley, Barbara Gallagher, Craig Schulz,
Dee Richardson,
Ed Anderson, Roland Thiebault, and Steve Lang.
(Not photographed: Michael Schwager, Melissa Menta, and Karen Johnson (Museum Director).)
The Collections Committee looking at some newly archived Determined Productions products.
From left to right: Michael Schwager, Jane O'Cain, Lisa Monhoff, Eric Stanley, Lucy Shelton Caswell,
Bailey Sharrocks, and Nina Fairles. (Not photographed: Gaye LeBaron, Jean Schulz, and Karen Johnson.)
Launching the Chinese Edition
of
Peanuts 6oth Anniversary Book
Beijing, China ::
April 2010
RM Enterprises choose Trends Lounge for the launch of the Chinese edition of the Peanuts 60th Anniversary book. It is a very arty, spacious bookstore with a lounge, food, and a private dining room. This is the first foreign language edition of the 60th Anniversary book that was published in the U.S. in October 2009. Liz Brinkley (from United Media) and I thanked the group of press, fans, and customers who were there. A young woman who was part of the editorial department of the publishing company said how proud they were to launch this edition in China.
 Entrance to the Trends Lounge |
 Inside the Trends Lounge |
I signed many, many books—in fact, the store sold out its entire stock on the first day! After the signing, I was interviewed by three newspaper and two magazine reporters. This doesn't sound like a very full day, but when one adds in the enormous amount of time it takes to get anywhere in Beijing, it WAS a full day. However, we capped it off with a visit to the Silk Road, a multi-story bazaar and bargaining palace, before having a light dinner with Connie and Ray and calling it a day.
—Jean Schulz
Launching the Love Foundation :: Beijing, China
April 2010
Today was the launch of the Love Foundation in Beijing. We began by meeting with Madam He Luli, the Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) standing committee. The press conference was held in The Great Hall of the People, which stands on one side of Tiananmen Square. By the time we got to Tiananmen Square, there were people everywhere who were simply enjoying the light rain.
 Jean Schulz and Madam He Luli |
 Jean Schulz speaking about the Love Foundation |
Madam He has a distinguished resume: in addition to being a medical doctor and the former Mayor of Beijing, Madam He has been a leader of several governmental charitable organizations.
 Ray Mok speaking about the Love Foundation |
 Children sing and dance at the launch of the Love Foundation |
In our meeting, I expressed how happy I was that Snoopy could be an ambassador working with the China Population Welfare Foundation (CPWF) to bring even more help to China's social welfare undertakings. Madam He talked about her grandchildren liking Snoopy and about the menagerie of animals—dogs, rabbits, rats, and goats—that they have. Yang Wenzhuang, the Secretary General of CPWF, thanked Snoopy and the Love Foundation for joining forces with the CPWF to carry out its mission to improve the welfare of the Chinese people. Following the speeches, there was a program of songs by a group of 5 and 6 year olds—it was very sweet and charming. There were interviews both at the Hall of the People and at China Radio International.
 Tea Service for Jean Schulz and Madam He Luli |
 Group photo at the launch of the Love Foundation |
Today was also a national day of mourning throughout China. Every day there is a ceremonial flag raising in Tiananmen Square at dawn with blue uniformed soldiers marching in formation. Today the flag was raised and then lowered to half-staff in honor of the earthquake victims in Qinghai. (We watched this on the television; we were not there to see it in person).
—Jean Schulz
The 60th Anniversary of Peanuts Celebrated Around the World
Beijing, China :: April 2010
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| Connie Mok and Jean Schulz |
I am in Beijing for the launch of the Love Foundation and the release of the Chinese edition of the 60th Anniversary Peanuts book.
Raymond Mok and his wife, Connie, own RM Enterprises, our agent in Asia. The two of them have been working for many months to create a foundation to mobilize Peanuts licensees in China and elsewhere to present annual fundraising events. Snoopy, of course, will be a part of these events, and the money raised will help children and the elderly in the areas outside big cities where facilities are scarce.
Raymond explained to us that in some rural schools the children do not have desks; they must stand at tables to do their writing. The Moks have named this organization the Love Foundation, which seems appropriate as we know that Snoopy does engender love and affection.
In China, charitable organizations must have the approval of the central government, and this is what Raymond and Connie have been working on for months, going on years. They presented their ideas to United Media in New York and to Creative Associates in Santa Rosa for approval. Liz Brinkley, from United Media in New York is representing them. I, of course, represent Sparky (Charles Schulz).
So on April 23, Raymond Mok, Liz Brinkley, and I will be greeted by Madam He Luli, Vice Chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) standing committee, to kick off the foundation. Madam He Luli is a medical doctor with a long and distinguished resume, including steering many charitable works. Also traveling to Beijing from United Media in New York is Melissa Menta, Vice President of Marketing. The following day there will be a press conference announcing the launch of the Chinese Edition of the Peanuts 60th Anniversary book.
The Moks believe it is very important that the Chinese learn about Peanuts through the comic strip itself, and therefore the books displaying these strips are very important. I saw Peanuts in the English edition of China Daily, but I am guessing that it is not in any Chinese language papers. The government is interested in having citizens learn foreign languages, so the books remain in English with the Chinese characters written underneath.
This 60th Anniversary book is uniquely suited for learning about Peanuts. In addition to being divided by decade (we chose strips and story lines that we thought best represented each decade), the book has many quotes from Sparky as well as short facts about when new characters entered the scene or when a significant change occured.
My daughter Lisa has joined me on this trip, so it makes it an especially celebratory occasion for me.
—Jean Schulz
Before working we did a little sight seeing in and around Beijing. . .
 Raymond Mok, Melissa Menta, Lucy Lee, & Jean's daughter, Lisa, in The Forbidden City |
 Jean Schulz and Raymond Mok in the Forbidden City |
 Dragons are everywhere in the Forbidden City |
 Jean Schulz and Melissa Menta |
 Jean Schulz and Melissa Menta at the Great Wall at Badaling |
 Connie Mok, Jean Schulz, Lisa, and Raymond Mok in front of Hall of the People |
We also made time for some store visits. . .
 Outside one of the two Charlie Brown Cafes we visited in Beijing |
 Inside the Charlie Brown Cafe in Mitsukoshi Department Store in Shinkong Place Mall |
 Manager of the Charlie Brown Cafe with Raymond Mok and Jean Schulz |
 Jean Schulz at the Charlie Brown Cafe |
 Cappuccinos at the Charlie Brown Cafe |
 Cappuccino at the Charlie Brown Cafe |
 Solid white chocolate Snoopy (about 4 inches long) |
 Snoopy Bakery |
 The counter at the Snoopy Bakery |
 Peanuts Gang train cake |
 Tributes to Peanuts in the Snoopy Bakery |
 Tribute to Peanuts |
 Tribute to Peanuts |
 Tribute to Peanuts |
 We added our own tribute to Peanuts |
 Lisa and Jeannie at the Snoopy Bakery |
 Raymond Mok and Jean Schulz in the women's corner at the Pacific Department Store in the Chaoyang District of Beijing |
 Connie Mok in the Pacific Department Store |
 Children's corner in the Pacific Department Store |
 Children's corner in the Pacific Department Store |
More on Christo's Running Fence Celebration :: Washington, D.C.
April 2, 2010
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| Christo at the exhibit opening |
On Friday night the Smithsonian American Art Museum screened the documentary film Running Fence Revisited by Wolfram Hissen. Wolfram filmed the reunion party in Bloomfield, Sonoma County, in September 2009. His 45-minute film contains interviews with ranchers and their families from the 1970s and 2009.
The film is interesting in its lack of a soundtrack. The silence is powerful as the viewer sees the magnificent Sonoma County landscape in 1976 and also in the present day. The only sounds from the film are the wind across the hills, the Running Fence panels moving in the wind, and the sounds of a car or a motorized vehicle.
Photographs from 1976 shows a young Christo and Jeanne-Claude interacting with the ranchers, the Fence, and the landscape. There is a wonderful addition of a home movie from the time. Its grainy quality coupled with images of the roads and cars bring back mesmories of my own visits to The Running Fence by bike, car, and in a small plane. This film, dedicated to Jeanne Claude, adds to the poignancy Christo speaks of: it reminds us to live fully.
—Jean Schulz
Christo's Running Fence Celebration :: Washington, D.C.
April 1, 2010
[Photos by Jean Schulz and Baylor Anderson]
Christo seemed to be glowing as he led us through the Running Fence exhibition at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on Thursday morning. Exactly at 10am he walked into the exhibition. Those of us gathered were a group of 20 or so, made up of sponsors of the exhibition and Sonoma County guests, including the families of the ranchers who cheered the unfurling of the fence almost 34 years ago.
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| Christo at the exhibit opening |
The exhibition was beautifully curated with large panels of the photographs by Wolfgang Zoltz, who was also there with his wife. The size of the panels, some in black and white and some in color, made you feel the size of the project.
There were also exhibition cases displaying cables and anchors, and a pole in the center of the exhibition with the rigging attached. Christo spoke with such fondness of each of the elements of the Fence—after all, they must have been in his dreams for many years while the project was going through the permitting process.
There were also interactive kiosks which allowed visitors to scroll through pages of testimony, and kiosks that allowed visitors to hear the voices of the ranchers' families. Photos of the ranchers fill an end wall, looking like a wall of royalty.
Christo spoke of the temporary nature not just of the Running Fence but of all his projects. He said [I have to paraphrase because I couldn't write fast enough] that childhood is temporary, and in fact all of life's events are temporary. We have a poignancy for the past and an urgency to be present for these once in a lifetime events.
—Jean Schulz
Italian Book Fair :: Bologna, Italy
March 2010
I visited Italy to meet with our agents and to see other agents and licensees at the Peanuts booth at the Italian Book Fair in Bologna, a long-running children's book exposition where Peanuts traditionally hosts a booth.
 Snoopy doghouse outside the Bologna Book Fair |
 Jean Schulz with a couple who brought a Peanuts strip that had been given to the gentleman's father in 1965 as the result of an exhibition on which he worked |
The highlight of this part of the trip was a round table discussion Wednesday evening with Umberto Eco, two of the originators of Linus Magazine, and journalist Fulvia Serra, who moderated the event and who had visited Sparky [Charles Schulz's nickname] in Santa Rosa several times. Fulvia Serra also was with us during the Fashion Doll Exhibition in Paris (1990) and Rome (1992), so she was well equipped to moderate the discussion.
 Salvatore Gregorietti (graphic designer), Jean Schulz, Umberto Eco, and Fulvia Serra (journalist) |
What Umberto Eco said about Sparky's language really struck me.
Simply explained, he said that one reason Peanuts has stood the test of time is due to its language. He explained that Sparky used simple language, in contrast with cartoonists who use current jargon, which often make their comics outdated and even irrelevant to future readers.
Of course, we have always known that one of the secrets to Peanuts IS its simplicity, but to have an intellectual of Umberto Eco's status say it was particularly rewarding to me. |
It is always a wonderful experience to visit other countries and see how they use the Peanuts property. What items do they produce? Do they rely heavily on Snoopy, or do they use all the characters?
This age of technoloy has made publishing so much easier for foreign markets because they can take Peanuts art work from digital files; that just leaves text translations for publishers to accomplish. This means that books are one of the first items to appear in a newly-licensed area, along with T-shirts, and other textiles.
 Benneton store window |
 Inside the Benneton store |
Italy, of course, is a mature Peanuts market and has an abundance of products. On this visit we went to the Benneton store in an elegant shopping area of Milan. They have launched a new line of Peanuts childrens' clothing in delicious colors. Here we are seeing a little fashion show...
 Benneton store staff and child models |
 Display of Peanuts clothing |
After visiting the Benneton store we went for dinner in the offices of our agents, Oscar and Gabriella Massari, and their son Claudio of the Business International Company of Italy (BIC). They have made the ground floor of the office a dedication to Peanuts and a veritable museum. Upstairs are displays of books and clothing as well as the products from other characters they license (Miffy is the one I knew best). They are also working on the licensing for the original Pinnochio (quite a different story and character that the Disney version). The Massari dinner was an intimate one with family and two important, long-time associates who also had known Sparky and worked with him. It was a very warm ending to a wonderful week.
—Jean Schulz
 Fulvia Serra, Oscar Massari, Jean Schulz, Monica and Mauricio Occhipinti, Gabriella Ghidini-Massari, Snoopy, Helene Gordon, Claudio Massari, and Kim Towner at the BIC office |
 Inside the Peanuts display area at the BIC office |
 Helene Gordon, Jean Schulz, and Gabriella Ghidini-Massari |
 More of the BIC office |
Schulz Cartoonist Cultural Exchange :: Havana, Cuba
January 2010
“All I had hoped for, and more.” That was my reaction to our welcome reception by Cuban cartoonists, animators, educators, and community artists. The creativity and humor of their work, their warm welcome, and their desire to share in a collegial exchange made us all very happy to be in Havana.
The genesis of this trip goes back to 2004, when I went to Cuba with a group from Sonoma State University. Our trip then included Havana, Cienfuegos, the historical city of Trinidad, and the tobacco growing area of Pinar del Rio. I loved the beauty of the island, the friendliness of the people, and the fact that although it is a poor country, the people have food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and a high level of education. We were welcomed everywhere by curious citizens who were very proud of their country.
When I returned to Santa Rosa I decided I’d like to take some cartoonists to Cuba. I set out to create a cultural exchange. For many years it wasn't possible, but things changed in 2009. My fellow travelers in January 2010 were Brian Narelle (puppeteer and cartoonist), Tom Richmond (MAD Magazine), Hilary Price (Rhymes with Orange), and Lex Fajardo (Kid Beowulf) and Justin Thompson (MythTickle) from Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates.
Paul, our stateside organizer, let our desires be known and the Cuban Department of History & Culture arranged meetings at two newspapers that feature cartoons, Palante and Dedete, at the Estudios de Animacio and at a school of Art & Design.
 Hilary Price outside Palante office |
 Gathering for a photo in front of Palante |
They also arranged a visit to a neighborhood mural project and a working ceramicist. Fuster, the ceramicist, made this replica of a bar in the home of Pablo Neruda in Chile.
 Hilary sits at the bar with one of Fuster’s helpers |
 Justin Thompson views mural project art |
Our in-country guides, Ludwig and Mayan, acted as both guides and translators and, of course, Paul is fluent in Spanish. The welcome from the cartoonists and animators was moving. They obviously enjoyed sharing their work and being recognized. Though the Cuban Government takes care of many needs, it does not take care of the need to travel! They showed us photographs of another group of American cartoonists who had visited in 1999, including Jerry Robinson and Bill Griffith. I am sure they are now displaying our group photos in their offices.
In Old Havana I was happy to see the progress that has been made in refurbishing some of the wonderful buildings. One plaza, that in 2004 had only one side of the square repainted, is now a beautiful, welcoming, open square with a coffee house, a brew pub, a second restaurant, and a hotel. A beautiful planetarium was scheduled to open the week after we left.
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A five-minute walk away is another beautiful plaza, again with restaurants, outdoor seating, and lively entertainment. The refurbishment is comparable to anything in Europe. The Art Museum near the port, new since 2004, is wonderful. Unfortunately, the Cartoon Museum was being remodeled and will re-open in April. I hope to visit it sometime.
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 Costumed stilt dancers move to the music in the refurbished square |
We walked every evening after dinner, or after taking in events like the ballet. The streets are filled with families and are completely safe. Music is everywhere—you can even make your own! One evening we stuck our heads in a small shop with drums made from various carved and natural wood forms, and Brian Narelle began drumming on an elaborate bongo set. Soon the owner/salesman pulled up his own drum and joined Brian while passers-by crowded the doorway and looked in the windows. (Visit drum shop owner Eduardo Cordova Reyes' MySpace site at www.myspace.com/eduardocordova.)
 Justin Thompson dancing during cartoonists party at our hotel with guests from Palante |
 Brian Narelle on the drums |
It was a wonderful feeling to bring people together with the magic of the pen and to bring happiness to many people. Please view more pictures from our trip below.
—Jean Schulz
Some members of our group have posted their own stories on their blogs (see links below), and look for blogs in the future from Brian Narelle, Justin Thompson, and Hilary Price. All of the cartoonists on this trip have spoken and/or taught at the Schulz Museum.
Lex Fajardo — Kid Beowulf — www.kidbeowulf.com
Brian Narelle — www.bnarelle.blogspot.com OR www.narellecreative.net
Hilary Price — Rhymes with Orange — www.rhymeswithorange.com
Tom Richmond — The MAD Blog —
www.tomrichmond.com/blog/2010/01/25/cartooning-adventures-in-cuba
Justin Thompson — MythTickle — www.gocomics.com/mythtickle
(Justin co-hosts a podcast, Coast to Coast Comics, where he talked about this Cuban visit.)
 16th century fort guarding Havana Harbor |
 View from fort back to the city |
 Troops rehearsing for the nightly cannon shot |
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 Everyone hams it up with the John Lennon statue. Hilary Price poses for her picture with this famous Beatle. |
 Brian Narelle with John Lennon statue |
 Terrace of the Hotel Nacional de Cuba where we met Ibrahim Ferrer of the Buena Vista Social Club in 2004 |
 Tomb of Ibrahim Ferrer of the Buena Vista Social Club who died in 2005 |
 A funeral procession |
 Perfecto Romero shows his album of beautiful photos of the Cuban Revolution, the Castro brothers, and Che Guevara |
 Tom Richmond drawing at Dedete |
 On the way to our hotel |
 I saw this decal in a market and asked the shop owner about it. She loves Snoopy and hugged me in excitement when I told her who I was. |
 Guides Ludwig & Mayan (in red) at Hemingway Finca outside Havana along with Tom Richmond, Justin Thompson, Lex Fajardo, Brian Narelle, and our driver |
 My room in Hotel Tejadillol in old Havana |
 The housekeepers made their own art in our rooms |