It Was a Dark and Stormy Night
By Anita I. Holmes, High Desert Branch
Charles M. Schultz Exhibition Ends September 10
It was the larger-than-life Snoopy sitting at his typewriter atop a huge pile of books that caught my attention. I stood staring up at the familiar beagle by the entrance to the special exhibition at the Charles M. Schultz Museum and Research Center in Santa Rosa, California, but not for long. The interactive exhibit, cleverly arranged by “chapters,” was like any good book and grabbed me from the start. When I walked back to the parking lot two hours later (Where did the time go?), I left with a renewed sense of delight as well as new insights into the art of telling a good story.
Check it out if you possibly can. Sure, it’s a ways away up in Sonoma County, but it’s definitely worth the trip. Speaking of “a ways,” it’s a super way to learn of Schultz’s love of books plus how he used literature, authors, and the writing craft in his Peanuts comic strip. As you might expect, there are details about the origin of Snoopy’s famous first line and the writing contest it inspired. You get to wander through “Sparky’s” studio – the real deal – and find out why Schultz was called “Sparky,” anyway. Explore how he developed various themes. Check out his own hand-written notes to see how he started with a phrase or idea and developed it into a story. Sit down at a typewriter to work on your own version of “Dark and Stormy” – and more. Don’t neglect the ongoing exhibits in the rest of the museum, either (and when you find yourself upstairs and wander down the hallway thinking, “Oh, there’s nothing much more down this way,” be sure to visit the restrooms).
Time your visit for August 12 and you’ll be treated to the museum’s fifteenth anniversary celebration. Visit any time to explore Schultz’s and Peanuts’ impact on our culture. It’s not just about exhibits, though. You can enjoy theater screenings of documentaries and animated specials, hear storytelling, watch cartoonists and illustrators tell of their work. Well-known authors share insights and experiences in the Bookshelf Author Series. All of these programs are free with the cost of admission. Want to find out more? Check out the museum’s website at https://schultzmuseum.org.
Thinking this won’t interest you because your latest writing project isn’t Snoopy fan-fiction, “A Tail of Two Kitties”? No problem. You can still head up north for a road trip, visit, and be inspired as all get-out anyway. I did, was, and even have the tee-shirt to prove it.
If you miss this program, check the museum website for more.
November 8 – May 21 bring “AAUGH! The Language of Peanuts”
about Schultz’s phrases that became part of the language.
This article originally appeared in The Inkslinger,
newsletter of the High Desert Branch.