ToonSeum to triple in size on Liberty Avenue, downtown

ToonSeum, Pittsburgh’s cartoon and comic museum, is about to triple in size.  After two successful years in a narrow, Cultural District storefront, the museum will grow by expanding into an adjacent building at 947 Liberty Avenue.  An exhibition space, small library, and public courtyard will be added to the current ToonSeum location.

Executive Director Joe Wos says this expansion will allow the museum to showcase more work from ToonSeum’s permanent collection, include more local artists, and to bring in larger exhibitions from around the world.

“It really gives the opportunity for the public to just have a greater experience overall, to really immerse themselves in the comic and cartoon world,” Wos says.  The museum will also be able to offer more classes to the community, and rental facilities for private events.  The expansion is expected to be completed by November.

The outdoor courtyard will offer fans a place to read comics and manga, enjoy refreshments from Japan and Italy, and will also be used for performances, Wos says.  The courtyard is already known for the popular 15-foot Liberty Avenue Musicians sculptures.

In addition to growing the museum, Wos says this expansion is also a statement of ToonSeum’s commitment to the 900 block of Liberty Avenue, or what he calls the emerging “Alternative District.”

“This is making a statement that we believe this is going to be one of the most exciting, vibrant and really exhilarating blocks in downtown Pittsburgh,” he says.  “There’s just a lot of really great things coming from here.”

Fans of the museum can contribute to the “Be a real superhero, support the arts” campaign via ToonSeum’s Kickstarter page.

Writer:  Andrew Moore

Source:  Joe Wos