The Chicago NCS Visits the Art Institute’s Hidden Gems

On Friday, August 1, 2025, while the pulsating beats of Lollapalooza echoed through Chicago’s Grant Park, a different kind of artistic celebration took place just a few blocks away. Members of the National Cartoonists Society’s Chicago chapter gathered for a rare and intimate tour of the Art Institute of Chicago’s cartoon archives in the museum’s Print Study Room.

Though the museum’s famed lions on Michigan Avenue greeted the city’s usual throngs of art lovers, this visit was anything but ordinary. Behind the scenes, nestled in the Print and Drawing Study Room, a curated collection of cartoon art—rarely on public display—awaited the NCS members. From satirical sketches to Sunday funnies, the selection highlighted the evolution and power of the cartooning craft.

Among the standout pieces were works by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec—yes, the famed French post-impressionist known for his posters of the Moulin Rouge, who also dabbled in social and satirical cartooning. These pieces, along with works by other French cartoonists, underscored the international influence and deep historical roots of the medium.

The tour also celebrated American icons of the cartooning world. Visitors were treated to original artwork by the legendary artists behind Archie, MAD Magazine, and Marmaduke. These pieces sparked conversations about the changing styles, cultural commentary, and enduring influence of these beloved characters and franchises.

Gallery

A particular highlight was the visual timeline of William Steig’s work. Best known today for Shrek, Steig’s career spanned decades. His early pieces from the 1950s featured clean, classic linework with a light, whimsical touch. As the collection progressed into his later work from the 1980s, attendees noted the shift—his penwork became grittier, his humor more biting, and his compositions more daring. It was a masterclass in artistic evolution and a testament to a cartoonist who never stopped pushing the boundaries of his craft.

The gathering also served as a reunion and networking event for a talented and diverse group of cartoonists. In attendance were:

  • Johnny Sampson
  • Bruce Quast
  • George Gant
  • Pat Byrnes
  • Richard Pietrzyk
  • Richard Laurent
  • Ellen Lustig
  • Jim McGreal
  • Spencer McGreal
  • Rich Cruz
  • E. Cruz (an incoming student at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago)
  • Sara Varon (a cartoonist and comics educator at SAIC)

The presence of educators and students alike underscored the intergenerational spirit of the cartooning community—a mix of legacy and emerging voices. Conversations flowed as attendees reflected on the art in front of them, shared updates on their work, and exchanged ideas about the future of comics in print, digital, and gallery spaces.

As Lollapalooza buzzed outside, the quiet reverence inside the museum offered a contrasting yet equally profound experience: artists honoring artists, cartoons elevated to fine art, and a reminder that humor, ink, and imagination remain as vital as ever.

Stay tuned for a photo gallery featuring many of the incredible pieces we viewed during this private tour. Whether you’re a lifelong cartoonist or a casual fan of the funny pages, this event proved that cartoon art belongs not only in newspapers and books, but also on the hallowed walls of our most prestigious institutions.