Secrets of DreamWorks Animation Come To Life at Spokane Museum

I Love Animation

Animation holds a special place in my heart. When I was a kid, I'd have my mom buy these small note-pads in bulk so that I could draw little flip cartoons. I'm a pretty good cartoonist, so I wasn't animating stick figures - I attempted some pretty complex moving images for a 7 or 8 year old.

I was convinced I would grow up to work for Disney, or one of their competitors. I even took some classes at the Art Institute of Seattle. Getting the chance to sculpt with 3D software, learn character design, and bring my drawings to life as a pencil-test was wonderful. Ultimately, it wasn't my calling. But I'm still a fan.

DreamWorks Animation Exhibit is Great Primer for Artists

Animation is like a magic trick. One of the go-to books on the subject is literally called The Illusion of Life. And right now, at Spokane's Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, you can learn the secrets behind the trick. Get a hands-on experience - just like I did - except waaay more affordable. And your teachers are the talented creators at DreamWorks Animation.

Dreamworks Animation Exhibit at the MAC, Photo: Dan Roberts

DreamWorks has done a wonderful job putting together this fun, immersive, interactive traveling exhibit. And The MAC, as locals call it, make great use of their space. You feel as though this could be an attraction at a theme park. Everywhere you look, inside and outside the museum, you are greeted by friendly, familiar faces.

DreamWorks Animation Exhibit is Divided into 4 Main Themes

Dreamworks Animation Exhibit at the MAC, Photo: Dan Roberts

The DreamWorks Animation Exhibit is split into 4 main parts:

Character - See the artists exploration from sketch, to sculpture to screen.
Story - Storyboards from Shrek, and Over the Hedge are on display and explained (see below).
World - From sketch, to paint, to physical models, a lot goes into creating a CG universe.
Drawing Room - Try your hand at drawing and animation at digital workstations similar to what DreamWorks artists use. Spend as much time as you like!

DreamWorks Animation Exhibit Itself is Animated

Dreamworks Animation Exhibit at the MAC, Photo: Dan Roberts

Sure, the DreamWorks Animation Exhibit features plenty of clips from your favorite movies, but the exhibit itself comes to life in surprising ways that I won't spoil here. Needless to say, if you're a fan, you'll love it.

When Can I See the DreamWorks Animation Exhibit in Spokane?

Dreamworks Animation Exhibit at the MAC, Photo: Dan Roberts

The MAC is open Tuesday through Sunday, and The DreamWorks Animation Exhibit will be on display until September 11th. So plenty of summer left to enjoy this educational and entertaining presentation. If you have an artist in your family, it's a must for them to see; they will walk away inspired.

How Much Does the DreamWorks Animation Exhibit Cost?

Admission is:

$20 for adults
$18 for seniors and college students
$15 for children/students age 6 to 17
FREE for kids under 6
FREE for active duty military (through Sept. 5th)

Tickets include admission to other exhibits including the historic Campbell House.

How Animation Circled Back in My Life

A career drawing for feature length cartoons wasn't in the cards for me. Instead, I made radio my career. But fate found a way to have animation circle back to me, doing what I do daily: speaking into a microphone!

I had the privilege of voicing a few animated characters for the web, corporate videos, and a video game. Hearing my voice come out of the mouths of animated characters was... Magical.