The Denver Art Museum (DAM) welcomes Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak, a collection of over 400 sketches, storyboards, artworks, and paintings created by the beloved American author and artist for the 2024/25 holiday season.
One of the most versatile artists of the 20th century, Maurice Sendak is best known for award-winning titles Where the Wild Things Are, the Little Bear series, In the Night Kitchen, Outside Over There, and Nutshell Library. He also designed theater sets and collaborated on films. Maurice began illustrating books in 1947 as a mostly self-taught artist, and for more than six decades, Sendak expanded and redefined the picture book.
Among many other highlights, the Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak exhibition will feature the first presentation of all of the original paintings for Where the Wild Things Are.
Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak will be on view through February 17,2025, in the museum’s Hamilton Building.
5 Reasons To Go See Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak
I had the opportunity to check out Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak, and it might just be my favorite exhibition of all time at the Denver Art Museum. Here's why!
Seeing the original artwork of many of the books that I read as a child and then read to my own children was pretty awesome.
My favorite book of all time is A Kiss for Little Bear, which was illustrated by Maurice Sendak. I was thrilled to see drawings from the pages of that book, complete with corrections he made that were not visible in the published version.
PRO TIP: Read a few of Maurice Sendak's books to your kids before you go. They will be thrilled to make the connection between the Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak and their own life.
Maurice Sendak had an extensive 65 year career as an author, artist, illustrator, set designer, costume designer, film producer, and collaborator extraordinary.
Who knew? I sure didn't. I knew him as the illustrator of my favorite book, and of course, for Where the Wild Things Are. Learning about his life and career was absolutely fascinating.
PRO TIP: Take advantage of the recorded tour that is offered at DAM!
Maurice Sendak was a first generation American.
Maurice Sendak was born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1928 to Polish Jewish immigrant parents. His identity and experiences, combined with his family's legacy and heritage, influenced all of his projects, creating a very powerful and interesting collection to take in.
PRO TIP: Look up the Jewish/Yiddish references in Where the Wild Things Are. They give a ton of insight into the storyline and are super interesting.
The reading room is ah-mazing.
Take a seat. Grab a book. Enjoy the artwork and stories of Maurice Sendak. Perfectly placed in the exhibit, it was a chance to really absorb the beauty, whimsy, and mischief that Sendak gifted to the world.
PRO TIP: Share your own "Maurice Memory" in the reading room. I did!
Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak is really, really cool.
Imagine walking through a 3D timeline of someone's life... full of captivating pictures, artwork, and artifacts. Add in a healthy dose of nostalgia, history, and unexpected delights, and the experience becomes irresistibly cool.
PRO TIP: Watch Where the Wild Things Are (2009), Maurice Sendak's collaboration with Spike Jonze, with your family before you go to Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak. Trust me on this one!
“Maurice Sendak’s art tells stories of courage, adventure, resilience, curiosity and a deep understanding of the human desire for connection and discovery,” said Christoph Heinrich, Frederick and Jan Mayer Director of the Denver Art Museum and co-curator of this exhibition. “Sendak’s art has been meaningful for so many of us and will certainly be for future generations.”
About the Denver Art Museum
The Denver Art Museum is an educational, nonprofit resource that sparks creative thinking and expression through transformative experiences with art. Its mission is to enrich lives by sparking creative thinking and expression. Its holdings reflect the city and region—and provide invaluable ways for the community to learn about cultures from around the world. Metro residents support the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), a unique funding source serving hundreds of metro Denver arts, culture and scientific organizations.
Wild Things: The Art of Maurice Sendak has been co-organized by the Denver Art Museum and the Columbus Museum of Art in partnership with The Maurice Sendak Foundation. It is curated by Jonathan Weinberg, Ph.D., Curator and Director of Research at The Maurice Sendak Foundation, and Christoph Heinrich, Frederick and Jan Mayer Director of the Denver Art Museum.
Know before you go
- The most up-to-date information on planning a visit to the Denver Art Museum can be found online under the Plan Your Visit tab. Use this page to find details on ticket pricing, public transit options and access information.
- General admission for museum members is free every day.
- Youth aged 18 and under receive free general admission everyday thanks to the museum’s Free for Kids program. Free for Kids also underwrites free admission for school and youth group visits.
For museum information, visit the websiteor call 720-865-5000. Connect with the Denver Art Museum on Facebook and Instagram.
Reading room photo courtesy of ©Denver Art Museum.
Maurice Sendak photo courtesy of Annie Leibovitz, 2011.
