{"id":239671,"date":"2026-03-27T19:38:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T19:38:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/239671\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T19:38:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T19:38:11","slug":"tom-everharts-take-on-the-iconic-peanuts-characters-now-in-fullerton","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/239671\/","title":{"rendered":"Tom Everhart\u2019s take on the iconic Peanuts characters now in Fullerton"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When it comes to a boy and his dog, there is perhaps no more recognizable \u2014 and beloved \u2014 duo than Charlie Brown and his beagle, Snoopy.<\/p>\n

The central Peanuts characters, created by Charles M. Schulz, first appeared in October of 1950 in a comic strip syndicated in just seven newspapers. Since then, the Peanuts gang has grown a presence in popular culture that has far transcended their humble origins, as their likeness has graced merchandise, television specials and even theme parks. <\/p>\n

\"Tom <\/p>\n

\u201cReach for the Stars,\u201d featuring Lucy, Snoopy and Charlie Brown, on display at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton.<\/p>\n

(Don Leach \/ Staff Photographer)<\/p>\n

There is one collaborative partnership that stands out out, though. Fine artist Tom Everhart was introduced to Schulz in 1980 and developed a close relationship with the cartoonist, who personally authorized Everhart to reinterpret the Peanuts characters in his own style. <\/p>\n

Now, a private collection of Everhart\u2019s work inspired by the iconic comic characters and the artist\u2019s relationship with Schulz, \u201cTom Everhart\u2019s Peanuts Collection,\u201d is on display at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton through May 1.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis whole collection features the Peanuts characters in these super colorful works,\u201d said Callie Prendiville Johnson, the museum\u2019s communications director. \u201cThey had a really unique friendship, and Everhart has continued to produce these characters in different scenarios.\u201d<\/p>\n

The exhibition opens with a depiction of Snoopy as the Statue of Liberty, with Woodstock playing a tiny violin standing in as his torch. Titled \u201cThe Liberties,\u201d the piece features florescent yellow and hot pink acrylic finger paint saturating the canvas in bold, thick strokes. <\/p>\n

Another work, titled \u201cReach for the Stars,\u201d shows Lucy and Charlie Brown with Snoopy snuggled between them taking in a vibrant light show of stars kaleidoscoping, like the Northern lights, across the night sky.<\/p>\n

\"Tom <\/p>\n

Tom Everhart\u2019s \u201cHero,\u201d depicting the iconic Snoopy hugging pal Woodstock, is part of the \u201cTom Everhart\u2019s Peanuts Collection\u201d at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center.<\/p>\n

(Don Leach \/ Staff Photographer)<\/p>\n

In each piece, the characters behave as their authentic selves, remaining true to the personalities they are known for. Snoopy is playful, dancing joyfully or embracing Woodstock. Lucy is confident and stoic, reclining in a beach chair wearing sunglasses. Charlie Brown is anxious but resilient, equal measures of \u201cgood\u201d and \u201cgrief.\u201d <\/p>\n

Prendiville Johnson notes many visitors to the exhibition connect specifically with a work titled, \u201cSalmon Breath,\u201d in which Charlie Brown affectionately cups Snoppy\u2019s face in his hands.<\/p>\n

\"Tom <\/p>\n

Tom Everhart\u2019s \u201cSalmon Breath,\u201d featuring Charlie Brown and Snoopy, is a fan favorite of visitors to Muckenthaler Cultural Center\u2019s \u201cTom Everhart\u2019s Peanuts Collection\u201d exhibit.<\/p>\n

(Don Leach \/ Staff Photographer)<\/p>\n

Although Schulz never considered himself to be a fine artist (his self-depreciating demeanor famously matched that of good old Charlie Brown), Everhart has long made the case that Schulz was not \u201cjust a cartoonist,\u201d but rather a master of a very simple, but sophisticated style.<\/p>\n

\u201cObviously, people have emotional connections to these characters,\u201d said Prendiville Johnson. \u201cBut Everhart really breaks down the line work, and the proportions and some of that fine art perspective.\u201d<\/p>\n

A contemporary of pop artists like Andy Warhol and Keith Haring, Everhart\u2019s own work is pop art with elements of expressionism laced throughout. His sense of color and humor present the familiar through a new, exciting lens.<\/p>\n

\"Tom <\/p>\n

Tom Everhart\u2019s \u201cJean\u2019s Wake\u201d is one of several pieces on display at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton.<\/p>\n

(Don Leach \/ Staff Photographer)<\/p>\n

Everhart\u2019s series of tidal waves featuring a tiny body surfing Snoopy specifically spoke to the anonymous private collector who has loaned the work to the Muckenthaler. The collector\u2019s statement included in the show relays his experience of being raised in a modest immigrant household, feeling like the world was small.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a child, I discovered something unexpected in the Peanuts cartoons \u2014 hope,\u201d he writes. \u201cYou may face enormous waves. You may fall. You may doubt. You may need a hug. You may need to make a statement. But you can rise.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

A detail of Tom Everhart\u2019s \u201cJean\u2019s Wake,\u201d reveals a tiny bodysurfing Snoopy among the painted waves.<\/p>\n

(Don Leach \/ Staff Photographer)<\/p>\n

In conjunction with the exhibition, the Muckenthaler\u2019s resident Electric Company Theatre presented a two-week run of \u201cYou\u2019re A Good Man, Charlie Brown,\u201d directed by Brian Johnson.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had over 1,000 Fullerton and surrounding school district students come and watch the show,\u201d said Prendiville Johnson. \u201cWe did student matinees, so they were able to watch the show, while the art was on the walls.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

A detail of Tom Everhart\u2019s \u201cSurfing with Franz and Willem\u201d shows the iconic Snoopy, arms outstretched, under a falling wave.<\/p>\n

(Don Leach \/ Staff Photographer)<\/p>\n

Prendiville Johnson said the Muckenthaler has appreciated the response from audiences visiting the exhibition.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have really loved it having it here and we keep describing it as a great introduction,\u201d she said. \u201cWhether somebody has young kids or they just don\u2019t consider themselves a museum-goer, this is a really welcoming and inclusive show.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTom Everhart\u2019s Peanuts Collection\u201d is open at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in the Main Gallery through May 1. While the gallery is typically open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, the gallery will have special hours on April 11 and 12 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For details, visit themuck.org.<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"When it comes to a boy and his dog, there is perhaps no more recognizable \u2014 and beloved…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":239672,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164,107831,54424,107836,9734,2628,107832,107835,107834,107837,13568,107833,1860,50256,107830,1968],"class_list":["post-239671","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anaheim","tag-anaheim","tag-anaheim-headlines","tag-anaheim-news","tag-callie-prendiville-johnson","tag-charlie-brown","tag-close-relationship","tag-exhibition","tag-fullerton","tag-iconic-peanuts-character","tag-main-gallery","tag-muckenthaler","tag-muckenthaler-cultural-center","tag-piece","tag-schulz","tag-show","tag-snoopy","tag-tom-everhart","tag-work"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239671","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=239671"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/239671\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/239672"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=239671"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=239671"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=239671"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}