Schulz Cartoonist Cultural Exchange – Havana, Cuba
“All I had hoped for, and more.” That was my reaction to our welcome reception by Cuban cartoonists, animators, educators, and community artists. The creativity and humor of their work, their warm welcome, and their desire to share in a collegial exchange made us all very happy to be in Havana.
The genesis of this trip goes back to 2004, when I went to Cuba with a group from Sonoma State University. Our trip then included Havana, Cienfuegos, the historical city of Trinidad, and the tobacco growing area of Pinar del Rio. I loved the beauty of the island, the friendliness of the people, and the fact that although it is a poor country, the people have food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and a high level of education. We were welcomed everywhere by curious citizens who were very proud of their country.
When I returned to Santa Rosa I decided I’d like to take some cartoonists to Cuba. I set out to create a cultural exchange. For many years it wasn’t possible, but things changed in 2009. My fellow travelers in January 2010 were Brian Narelle (puppeteer and cartoonist), Tom Richmond (MAD Magazine), Hilary Price (Rhymes with Orange), and Lex Fajardo (Kid Beowulf) and Justin Thompson (MythTickle) from Charles M. Schulz Creative Associates.
Paul, our stateside organizer, let our desires be known and the Cuban Department of History & Culture arranged meetings at two newspapers that feature cartoons, Palante andDedete, at the Estudios de Animacio and at a school of Art & Design.
Hilary Price outside Palante office
Gathering for a photo in front of Palante
They also arranged a visit to a neighborhood mural project and a working ceramicist. Fuster, the ceramicist, made this replica of a bar in the home of Pablo Neruda in Chile.
Hilary sits at the bar with one of Fuster’s helpers
Justin Thompson views mural project art
In Old Havana I was happy to see the progress that has been made in refurbishing some of the wonderful buildings. One plaza, that in 2004 had only one side of the square repainted, is now a beautiful, welcoming, open square with a coffee house, a brew pub, a second restaurant, and a hotel. A beautiful planetarium was scheduled to open the week after we left.
A five-minute walk away is another beautiful plaza, again with restaurants, outdoor seating, and lively entertainment. The refurbishment is comparable to anything in Europe. The Art Museum near the port, new since 2004, is wonderful. Unfortunately, the Cartoon Museum was being remodeled and will re-open in April. I hope to visit it sometime.
Costumed stilt dancers move to the music in the refurbished square
We walked every evening after dinner, or after taking in events like the ballet. The streets are filled with families and are completely safe. Music is everywhere—you can even make your own! One evening we stuck our heads in a small shop with drums made from various carved and natural wood forms, and Brian Narelle began drumming on an elaborate bongo set. Soon the owner/salesman pulled up his own drum and joined Brian while passers-by crowded the doorway and looked in the windows. (Visit drum shop owner Eduardo Cordova Reyes’ MySpace site at www.myspace.com/eduardocordova.)
Justin Thompson dancing during cartoonists party at our hotel with guests from Palante
Brian Narelle playing the drums
It was a wonderful feeling to bring people together with the magic of the pen and to bring happiness to many people. Please view more pictures from our trip below.
—Jean Schulz
Some members of our group have posted their own stories on their blogs (see links below), and look for blogs in the future from Brian Narelle, Justin Thompson, and Hilary Price. All of the cartoonists on this trip have spoken and/or taught at the Schulz Museum.
Lex Fajardo — Kid Beowulf — www.kidbeowulf.com
Brian Narelle — www.bnarelle.blogspot.com OR www.narellecreative.net
Hilary Price — Rhymes with Orange — www.rhymeswithorange.com
Tom Richmond — The MAD Blog —
www.tomrichmond.com/blog/2010/01/25/cartooning-adventures-in-cuba
Justin Thompson — MythTickle — www.gocomics.com/mythtickle
(Justin co-hosts a podcast, Coast to Coast Comics, where he talked about this Cuban visit.)
More pictures from Cuba
16th century fort guarding Havana Harbor
View from fort back to the city
Troops rehearsing for the nightly cannon shot
Plaque at the fort
Everyone hams it up with the John Lennon statue. Hilary Price poses with this famous Beatle.
Brian Narelle with John Lennon statue
Terrace of the Hotel Nacional de Cuba where we met Ibrahim Ferrer of the Buena Vista Social Club in 2004
Tomb of Ibrahim Ferrer of the Buena Vista Social Club who died in 2005
A funeral procession
Perfecto Romero shows his album of beautiful photos of the Cuban Revolution, the Castro brothers, and Che Guevara
Tom Richmond drawing at Dedete
On the way to our hotel
I saw this decal in a market and asked the shop owner about it. She loves Snoopy and hugged me in excitement when I told her who I was.
Guides Ludwig & Mayan (in red) at Hemingway Finca outside Havana along with Tom Richmond, Justin Thompson, Lex Fajardo, Brian Narelle, and our driver
My room in Hotel Tejadillol in old Havana
The housekeepers made their own art in our rooms
