Humor comes to Wilton Library’s walls beginning Oct. 14

Many people think they will be ‘shushed’ upon entering a library, but at Wilton Library this month, people will find themselves chuckling as they move through the gallery and beyond – and that will be the expected response. The National Cartoonists Society Connecticut Chapter will be exhibiting noteworthy cartoons from recognized artists with the opening of its show on Friday, October 14, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The group exhibition features original cartoons created for newspapers, greeting cards, licensing, children’s books, magazines and other popular media. The noted cartoonists include Chance Browne of Wilton, the family dynasty of Mort, Greg, and Brian Walker (of Wilton), Mary Anne Case, from New Canaan, Jerry Dumas, of Greenwich, Bob Englehart, from Middletown, the late Dick Hodgins of Wilton, Bill Janocha, from Stamford, Sean Kelly of Southport, Maria Scrivan of Stamford, and Rick Stromoski, from Suffield. Doug Smith from the HAN Network, Ray Billingsley and Orlando Busino also have joined the exhibition. The reception is free and open to the public.

According to Ed MacEwen, Wilton Library’s volunteer art chairman, “We’re always looking for fresh ideas for our monthly art exhibitions. We’ve never had a full exhibition of cartoonists, so this is a first and we’re happy to have the opportunity to show this genre of work by such an extremely talented group.”

According to the National Cartoonists Society website, “the group is the world's largest and most prestigious organization of professional cartoonists. It was born in 1946 when groups of cartoonists got together to entertain the troops. They found that they enjoyed each other's company and decided to get together on a regular basis. Today, the NCS membership roster includes over 500 of the world's major cartoonists, working in many branches of the profession, including newspaper comic strips and panels, comic books, editorial cartoons, animation, gag cartoons, greeting cards, advertising, magazine and book illustration and more.” The representatives in the exhibition are from the Connecticut Chapter.

The exhibition runs through Friday, November 11. Wilton Library is located at 137 Old Ridgefield Road in the heart of Wilton Center. Library hours are Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fridays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays, 1 to 5 p.m. For information and directions, visit www.wiltonlibrary.org or call 203-762-6334.