Wild Rumpus of Sendak’s ‘Wild Things’ comes to Upcountry History Museum

Stomping into Greenville in its only South Carolina stop, “Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak” will open at the Upcountry History Museum-Furman University, a Smithsonian Affiliate, on Saturday, October 22, 2022, in an exhibition exclusively designed to showcase this famous artwork of one of the 20th century’s most recognized author/illustrators.

Featuring more than 50 original pieces, “Wild Things” celebrates Sendak’s life and work by taking visitors on an immersive journey through preliminary sketches, finished artwork, and interactive experiences, all told through the illustrator’s unique ability to intimately connect his art and stories. As one reviewer of “Where the Wild Things Are,” the 1964 Caldecott Medal recipient of the Most Distinguished Picture Book of the Year, noted about the main character, “Max’s adventures demonstrate that children’s imaginations are a wonderful thing, taking them anywhere they want to go.”

During his career, Sendak, one of the greatest creators of children’s books in the 20th century, fashioned a visual language that has long captivated generations of children in ways that upended expectations by allowing them to step into the pages of imaginative illustrations and engage with the range of emotions children experience. Through his more than 100 books, Sendak’s inspirations continue to thrill life-long learners of all ages, as well as foster interaction and discovery.

On display through January 8, 2023, “Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak” brings the adventures of Max and his “wild things” to life and lets visitors immerse themselves into the pages of these beloved stories.

The Upcountry History Museum is located at 540 Buncombe St., in Greenville, S.C. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 864-467-3100 or visit www.upcountryhistory.org.