Original artwork, nostalgic displays highlight arrival of Bugs Bunny and friends at Upcountry History Museum
January 28, 2026
On Saturday morning, January 31, 2026, Bugs Bunny, Road Runner, Tweety Bird, and Sylvester won’t just be cartoons on your television screen, they and fellow Looney Tunes and Merrie Melodies friends will be on display in “The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons,” the newest exhibition opening at the Upcountry History Museum, a Smithsonian Affiliate.
Yes, everything from the futile ACME-inspired chases of Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner to film clips peppered with satirical references to real life will be in full view as part of this nostalgic and visually memorable exhibition that showcases a collection of original drawings and artwork used in the intricate animation process that created these timeless characters.
Colorful and vivacious, this exhibition traces the development of all the Warner Bros. cartoon stars and gives a step-by-step breakdown of how animated films are made. In total, “The Art of Warner Bros. Cartoons” features 160 objects that invite visitors to explore the history of the legendary Warner Bros. animation studio and the techniques that went into producing these classic cartoons.
Additionally, the exhibition includes production paintings and transparent celluloids used to create some of Warner Bros. Studios noteworthy cartoon shorts from their 1930 debut through the early 1960s. Filled with references to topical matters and real-life happenings, these cartoons were originally screened in movie theaters before the feature film began.
On display through Sunday, May 24, 2026, “The Art of Warner Bros.” is sure to bring as many smiles to younger generations as these classic cartoons and characters have done for older generations for decades.
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. and Sunday from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. For more information, call 864-467-3100 or visit www.upcountryhistory.org.
