SAVANNAH — Originality and whimsy prevail in the contemporary media of Munny fantasy toys that are flying out of showrooms from Miami to Toronto.
In the Savannah show, put on by Savannah College of Art and Design illustration students, the themes range from “Sara McDoll,” “Mother Earth,” “Cletus McGruder,” “Maybelline,” “Chester,” “Professor Butter Bean,” “Godiva,” to “Dirty Belly.” Each illustrated, traditional art canvas is paired with each of nearly 30 original Munny toys.
The novel idea to merge the illustrators’ art and retail brings a new twist to Savannah Mall.
“The “Munny” exhibit is enormously fun and a win-win for student illustrators and the mall,” said Savannah Mall’s marketing manager Senea Crystal.
All of the custom Munny toys are available for purchase during the reception at 6 p.m., exhibit and auction at 7 p.m. on April 10, at Savannah Mall. The full exhibit will remain on display through April 2009.
Families are encouraged to attend and to give children an opportunity to meet and talk with the talented illustrators. A portion of the auction proceeds is earmarked to child-related charities in the Savannah area.
Illustrated art on Savannah’s Southside
The SCAD illustration department was ranked as one of the top five innovative programs by Applied Arts magazine in the October 2008 issue.
The ranking highlighted universities where educators are preparing students for the changing world of design.
The contemporary “Show Me the Munny!” exhibit is the first of many events that the illustration students are launching at Savannah Mall.
“This beautiful, spacious venue gives new audiences a chance to experience some of the innovative talent coming through SCAD,” said Professor Julie Lieberman, Illustration student club adviser.
Beginning with a tubby white canvas
The student illustrators began with an endearingly chubby white Munny, which stands 7 inches tall and weighs about 1 pound.
“Munny” is a do-it-yourself vinyl toy from the American designer toy company Kidrobot.
The mall is showcasing the students’ work at zero cost and is reaching out to introduce even more artisan and select one-off products.
For more information, call Crystal at (912) 927-7467 or email senea.crystal@savannahmall.com.
