Jim Henson's Fantastic World is Coming to Arizona Museum for Youth

Fans of all ages will be able to get a firsthand look into the imagination and creative genius of Jim Henson with the debut of �Jim Henson�s Fantastic World,� a new Smithsonian traveling exhibition coming to the Arizona Museum for Youth (AMY) in downtown Mesa from Dec. 15, 2007 through March 9, 2008.

AMY is the only museum in the Southwest � and only the second in the nation � to host this unique exhibit that documents Henson�s remarkable process of visual thinking.

This may be your only chance to catch a glimpse of Henson�s legacy before it heads east of the Rockies, says Executive Director Sunnee Spencer. �We are truly honored to have been chosen as one of only a few venues in the nation to host this exhibit, as it ties directly with our mission of presenting accessible, innovative and interactive art museum experiences to children and families. We hope that Henson�s work will inspire children to become future artists.�
Items on display include:

���Several of Henson�s Muppets and Creatures (including characters from �The Muppet Show,� �Sesame Street,� �Fraggle Rock,� �The Dark�Crystal� and other productions)
���Over 100 framed works of art (including paintings, sketches, cartoons and storyboards)
���A large collection of rare photographs
���Unique production documents
���Additional artifacts and film props
���Over 30-minutes of special video presentations
���An illustrated timeline of Henson�s life and career

Organized by The Jim Henson Legacy and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service in cooperation with the Henson family, The Jim Henson Company, The Muppets Studio, LLC, and Sesame Workshop, �Jim Henson�s Fantastic World� is made possible by The Biography Channel. Additional support has been provided by The Jane Henson Foundation and Cheryl Henson. The Signature Sponsors of the exhibit are The Arizona Republic, Dee and John Whiteman and the Arizona Museum for Youth Friends, Inc. The Silver Paintbrush Sponsor is M& I Bank. Additional programming support provided by the Maricopa County Library District.

For more details, visit the exhibit�s official information page at www.sites.si.edu/exhibitions/exhibits/henson/main.htm.

The Arizona Museum for Youth (AMY) is a fine art museum for children and families.� A place to introduce your family to art, the museum hosts several changing exhibitions each year and features ArtVille, a special art-town for kids less than four years. As part of the exhibitions, a dynamic array of art classes, fun workshops and family programs are available to teach art principles and techniques.� Located at 35 N. Robson in downtown Mesa, AMY is open Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday, 12 p.m. through 4 p.m.

Please visit www.arizonamuseumforyouth.com or call 480.644.2467 for current information.