Seen © Chris Ware
The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum at The Ohio State University will reopen to the public on Saturday, May 23, unveiling a newly designed museum experience that invites visitors to explore the art, history and cultural impact of comics in new and engaging ways.
Headlining the reopening is a major international exhibition, Life is Complicated, by acclaimed cartoonist and designer Chris Ware, on view until January 3, 2027. The exhibition marks the only U.S. presentation of this collection of Ware’s work and features an immersive, design-driven installation created specifically for Billy Ireland’s gallery, showcasing original drawings, objects and rarely seen materials.
At the heart of the enhanced museum experience is Story of Comics, a new permanent exhibition exploring the evolution of comics and cartoon art over more than 400 years. Through original artwork, interactive elements and themed gallery spaces, visitors can discover how comics communicate, how they are created and how the medium has developed over time. This includes a dedicated gallery that highlights original Calvin & Hobbes artwork by Bill Watterson, one of the museum’s most recognized and beloved collections, offering a nostalgic and engaging experience for visitors. The Story of Comics exhibition was made possible through a generous grant from the Terra Foundation for American Art.
“This is an exciting new chapter for the museum,” said Jenny Robb, Head Curator of Comics and Cartoon Art and Associate Professor for University Libraries at Ohio State. “We’ve reimagined how we present these rare works, showcasing the breadth and depth of our collection. The new exhibit highlights the storytelling and artistry of the original drawings and artifacts. With the debut of the Chris Ware exhibition alongside our new gallery spaces, audiences will encounter comics in ways that are both deeply meaningful and visually striking.”
The reopening marks a significant transformation of the museum’s galleries and visitor experience following recent building and HVAC improvements. The redesigned space introduces a new layout and expanded exhibition areas, offering a more immersive and accessible environment for first-time visitors, longtime fans and the campus community.
Widely recognized as the world’s largest collection of comics and cartoon art, the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum serves as both a public-facing museum and an academic research library within The Ohio State University Libraries system, welcoming visitors from campus, Columbus and around the world.
“The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is a truly unique cultural and academic resource, connecting global audiences with one of the most significant collections of comics and cartoon art in the world,” said Tessa Gatz, Director of Strategic Marketing and Communications for University Libraries at Ohio State. “Bringing an artist like Chris Ware to Columbus underscores the museum’s impact and its role within The Ohio State University Libraries in making world-class exhibitions and knowledge accessible to our community.”
Throughout the summer, the museum will be offering free workshops for kids and families, as well as a day of programming on August 8 featuring Cathy Guisewite, children’s graphic novel authors and free sketches by cartoonists from across the country in collaboration with the National Cartoonists Society.
The museum will also host a special public program featuring Chris Ware on October 17, 2026, with additional details to be announced.
The Billy Ireland Cartoon Library & Museum is free and open to the public and welcomes visitors Tuesday through Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
For more information, visit cartoons.osu.edu.
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