Cartoon Art Museum Finds Permanent Home At Fisherman's Wharf

Cartoon Art Museum Finds Permanent Home At Fisherman's WharfImage: BSSP
Nathan Falstreau
Published on October 27, 2017

The Cartoon Art Museum—which was forced to close its longterm space at 655 Mission St. in 2015—has found new permanent digs at Fisherman's Wharf (across the street from Aquatic Park) and officially opens tomorrow.

To celebrate its return after a two-year hiatus, the museum will debut three new exhibits: Smile! The Comics of Raina Telgemeier, a tribute to Mike Mignola’s Hellboy, and an emerging artist showcase featuring Nidhi Chanani’s Pashmina.

“We’re so thrilled to be at the center of San Francisco’s waterfront and tourism hub,” said Executive Director Summerlea Kashar in a press release. “Our new, permanent home is bigger, better and exactly where we want and need to be to serve our loyal fan base and build new audiences.”

Photo: Google

The new location contains almost 8,000 square feet of space that accommodates "galleries, screening area, workshop, classroom, bookstore, library and [a] collections facility," said Kashar, and will house the museum's 7,000-piece permanent collection.

The Cartoon Museum's archive includes original Disney animation art from the collection of Mike Glad, comic strip art by Charles Schulz (Peanuts),  Bill Watterson (Calvin & Hobbes) and Bil Keane (Family Circus), comic book art from DC and Marvel legends Bob Kane, Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, and many other works.

The museum was able to make the permanent location a reality with assistance from the Northern California Community Loan Fund and the city of San Francisco.

Guests who attend in costume will receive a Halloween treat in honor of the Tribute to Hellboy exhibition.

Next Sunday, Academy Award-nominated Cartoon Saloon Studios will have a filmmaker presentation on its upcoming animated feature film, The Breadwinner, from 3–4pm.