TUSCUMBIA-The Tennessee Valley Museum of Art is exhibiting Pop!: The Art of Comics through April 29. This exhibition explores the processes and legacy of comics and sequential art, as visitors get to see original pencil and ink drawings as well as rare, vintage, and contemporary comics.
The museum has partnered with the Tishomingo Arts Council to display original illustrations by Christopher Hanther. Hanther was a Memphis artist who worked for Marvel Comics and illustrated the long-running action adventure comic Tandra. The exhibit also includes contemporary original and printed comics art from members of the Mid-South Cartoonists Association, a non-profit organization comprised of professional cartoonists, aspiring cartoonists, and cartooning enthusiasts.
Visitors can also see a large collection of rare and vintage comics, on loan from private collectors. These comic titles include Marvel and DC heroes such as Wonder Woman, Thor and Wolverine, as well as a variety of adventure and sci-fi comics.
Rounding out the exhibition are Japanese wood block prints from the museum’s permanent collection. These prints are from the mid-1800s, and their techniques serve as predecessors to today’s manga comics.
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for students, and free for members of the Tennessee Valley Art
Association. Visitors can also get free admission to the exhibit by bringing a receipt from Superhero Chefs restaurant in Tuscumbia. They can get one free entry per meal listed on their receipt.
Museum hours are Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To learn more about the Tennessee Valley Art Association, which also runs the Ritz Theatre in Sheffield, visit tennesseevalleyarts.org or call 256-383-0533.
