Chas Addams Exhibit Returning To Southampton Arts Center

They’re creepy and they’re kooky, Mysterious and spooky, They’re all together ooky – we’re talking about The Addams Family, of course.

This fall, Southampton Arts Center (SAC) is bringing back Chas Addams: Family and Friends – giving museumgoers a rare chance to explore an iconic compilation of pieces created by famed New Yorker cartoonist Charles Addams.

“Leaving Home” by Chas Addams. (Photo: ©Charles Addams. With permission of Tee and Charles Addams Foundation.)

The artist, who called the East End home until his death in 1988, is known for his darkly comical and macabre characters, with the most notable being The Addams Family.

“In September 2013 we were invited to participate in Southampton Arts Center’s inaugural season with an exhibit of works by Charles Addams (1912-1988) and this year we were thrilled to be invited back for a second look,” explained H. Kevin Miserocchi, Executive Director of the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation.

Chas Addams: Family and Friends was a popular attraction during Southampton Arts Center’s debut year. The exhibit will return on Friday, September 16th and can be seen through Monday, October 31st.

“We are so excited to welcome the Tee and Charles Addams Foundation for the return of Chas Addams: Family and Friends,” shared Amy Kirwin, Director of Programs at the Southampton Arts Center. “It’s a wonderful exhibition for all ages, and ties in so well with the season and Halloween in particular.”

Addams sold his first “spot” sketch to The New Yorker in 1932. After that his pieces went on to appear in works published by many notable publishers – like Random House, Inc. and Simon & Schuster, Inc. In 1964, the world was introduced to Gomez, Morticia, Uncle Fester, Lurch, Grandmama, Wednesday, Pugsley and Thing when The Addams Family premiered on ABC.

The exhibit at SAC will consist of over fifty original works that will cover the entirety of Addams career, including The Addams Family characters. Additionally, Chas Addams: Family and Friends will showcase the creative minds of the East End as works from the Charles Addams Festival: Cartooning for Kids – which took place this past summer at the Bridgehampton Museum – will be on display alongside the artist’s masterpieces – which served as inspiration for the children’s art.

“Charles Addams was an East End treasure, and we are very fortunate to be able to showcase his wonderful work,” added Kirwin.

An Opening Reception will take place on Saturday, September 24th from 5 to 7 p.m. Southampton Arts Center will also present a Charles Addams Cartooning Workshop, taught by Peter Spacek, on Saturday, October 1st, Saturday, October 8th, Saturday, October 15th, Saturday, October 22nd and Saturday, October 29th. Classes will take place from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and are open to those 8-years-old and up. A 25th Anniversary Screening of The Addams Family, presented with Hamptons International Film Festival, will be held on Sunday, October 9th at 7 p.m. Tickets are $8 and attendees are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite character.

Southampton Arts Center is located at 25 Jobs Lane in Southampton. For more information, call 631-283-0967 or visit southamptonartscenter.org.