Schulz Museum Offers Several Shows

By: E&P Staff Several exhibits are taking place at the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, Calif.

One winter/spring show is "Peanuts: The Early Years, 1950-1956." Included are strips showing Charlie Brown, Shermy, and Patty (the feature's three original characters) and Snoopy (who made his debut two days after the United Feature Syndicate comic was launched). By the third year, Linus, Lucy, and Schroeder came aboard.

Another exhibit, running through Sept. 18, is "Vince Guaraldi and Peanuts: A Jazz Tradition." Guaraldi (1928-1976) composed the comic's famous theme song, which first aired on TV during 1965's "A Charlie Brown Christmas." He ended up doing music for 15 "Peanuts" specials. The show includes art Schulz drew for Guaraldi, the composer's personal memorabilia relating to his relationship with the cartoonist, and more.

A third exhibit, running through May 10, focuses on the syndicated "It's Only a Game" comic that Schulz and Jim Sasseville did from late 1957 to early 1959.

And a fourth exhibit, running from April 23 to Sept. 12, is "Comic Canines Before and After Snoopy." It includes cartoons of dogs from features such as "The Yellow Kid," "Buster Brown," "Krazy Kat," "Little Orphan Annie," "Blondie," "Pogo," "Marmaduke," "For Better or For Worse," "The Far Side," "Mother Goose & Grimm," "Luann," "Dilbert," "Pickles," "Mutts," "Rhymes With Orange," "Red & Rover," and "Raising Duncan." The show is being curated by "Mutts" creator Patrick McDonnell of King Features Syndicate.