Tempe, AZ – Gumby is celebrating the 60th birthday of his creation in style! Once a little green slab of clay, international icon, Gumby, came to life in 1955, through the creative genius of Art Clokey. Arizona State University’s Gallery 100 is hosting “Gumby, Behind the Scenes: Celebrating 60 Great Years,” an exhibit of Gumby memorabilia from Clokey Productions, to kick off the festivities. The show features real clay puppets used for animation and impressive full-scale sets and props. Photos and other items round out the show to provide a glimpse behind the scenes of Gumby’s world and studio. The exhibit illustrates the rich and fascinating history of Gumby and stop motion animation pioneer Art Clokey.
“My parents created Gumby as a gift of love to all children, and the child within us all. I’m proud to be ushering Gumby into his sixth decade with this debut event at ASU,” said Joe Clokey.
Gallery 100 opens its doors for a unique Gumby birthday bash on Saturday, January 24, 2015. Joe and Joan Clokey from Clokey Productions/Premavision Studios will give a multimedia presentation, “Gumby through the Years” at ASU’s Gallery 100, at 1:00 p.m. Doors open at 12:00 p.m. Get the inside scoop on Gumby from the family that created the character, have a slice of birthday cake and take home a complimentary DVD and Gumby bendable figure. The presentation and reception are free and open to the public, but space is limited, so please arrive early to ensure your seat.
Gumby is the world’s original clay boy, an evergreen character with an endearing personality whose timeless adventures resonate with each new generation. Gumby is an adventurous everyman hero who can morph into any shape and travel anywhere though time and space. This beloved character is the star of 209 TV episodes (created in the 1950s, 60s, and 80s, along with a movie in the 90s) that have aired internationally throughout the years. Fans develop a heartfelt, lifelong connection to Gumby, as the theme song says, “If you’ve got a heart, then Gumby’s a part of you!”
The famed characters Davey and Goliath from the 60s and 70s’ TV show, also created by Clokey Productions, will be on display at ASU. The largest set pieces and puppets from the one-hour Davey Snowboard Christmas Special, produced in 2004, will be showcased.
Gallery 100 is located at 951 South Mill Avenue in the Tempe Center on the Arizona State University campus. Gallery hours are Monday through Thursday, noon to 5:00 p.m. and Friday, noon to 3:00 p.m. It is closed on weekends (except Saturday, January 24.)
For more information about Gumby, visit www.Gumby.com <http://www.Gumby.com> and Gumby Central on Facebook and Twitter.
About Premavision, Inc. / Clokey Productions, Inc. Founded by Art and Ruth Clokey, Premavision/Clokey Productions stop motion animation studio is best known for creating the iconic character Gumby—the world’s original clayboy. The studio has produced 209 Gumby TV episodes and The Gumby Movie, as well as the popular Davey and Goliath show. The company’s productions have aired worldwide for nearly 60 years, and the legacy continues under the direction of Joe and Joan Clokey.