ToonSeum: Pittsburgh's Cartoon Museum Closing Its Doors

PITTSBURGH, PA - What kryptonite is to Superman, Downtown proved to be to ToonSeum.

One of only three cartoon and comic book art museums in the United States, ToonSeum on Liberty Avenue will close on Feb. 24. Those running the place then will embark on an uncertain path; they plan to spend at least a year raising money while looking for a more affordable location.

We all should be disappointed by the loss - hopefully only temporary - of this unique Pittsburgh institution. But Joe Wos rightfully feels the sting of the ToonSeum more than most, having founded the place and served as its initial executive director for seven years before stepping down in 2014.

“It’s very disappointing, obviously, and a little heartbreaking,” said Wos, who started ToonSeum in a small section of the Children’s Museum of Pittsburgh in 2007 and oversaw its move Downtown two years later.

The people now running ToonSeum promise that it’s not going away. But for the foreseeable future, until a permanent home in a less-accessible location than Downtown can be found, it will be a nomadic operation focused on roving pop-up exhibits and lectures.

“Just as comics characters must be allowed to age, change or otherwise adapt to the world around them in order to remain relevant, so must the Toonseum,” board president Marcel Walker sai in a statement. “During (the transition period), we will develop programming that reflects and includes more members of our community.”

Toward that goal, the mobile ToonSeum plans to use comics-based educational initiatives to help develop higher literacy and critical-thinking skills for students. ToonSeum officials said they also want to assist writers and artists’ efforts to develop professional comics art careers and enhance what they believe is the city’s growing national reputation as an incubator for comics creators.

Wos, 46, of Penn Hills, said he is hopeful the transient programming efforts are successful. But for a guy who organized more than 70 exhibits during his tenure as executive director, he believes there was much more to ToonSeum that programming.

“ToonSeum was always about the people who made up that geek culture,” Wos said. “It was their home, their clubhouse, a place where they could hang out and no one would bat an eye. To see that come to an end, no matter what the new direction, definitely is a loss.”

Walker said ToonSeum plans to hire an executive director, vet additional board members and “finalize details with funders who share our vision of a bold future for the ToonSeum.”

Wos said he believes the ToonSeum’s spirit will live on no matter what shape or form it ultimately takes. That being said...

“I just feel strongly that a museum that is losing its physical presence is no longer a museum.”

What exactly is it then?

Currently, there’s no easy answer. Appropriately enough for a place that spotlighted illustrations and animation, for the time being you’ll have to draw your own conclusion.

Eric Heyl is Patch’s Pittsburgh field editor. Reach him at 412-334-4033 or Eric.Heyl@Patch.Com.

Photo via Google.