So what was it like to attend this year's Cartoon Art Museum fundraiser at Pixar Animation Studios? Well, for starters, given that work is already underway on that 155,000 square foot building that's being added to the Emeryville campus, event attendees had to find another way enter this 21-acre complex …
Photo by Rod Mongenel
… because Pixar's picturesque main entrance was temporarily closed.
Photo by Rod Mongenel
But once you got past that little hiccup, it was pretty much business as usual at Pixar's annual fundraiser for the Cartoon Art Museum. Upon arrival on campus, event attendees checked in.
Photo by Rod Mongenel
And then, after that, once one was actually inside of Pixar Animation Studios … Well, it was kind of hard to decide where to start.
Photo by Rod Mongenel
Should you get on line for Pixar's Studio Store …
Photo by Rod Mongenel
… where you could then purchase exclusive Pixar merchandise at a discounted price?
Photo by Rod Mongenel
Or would it be smarter to first go check out the Silent Auction …
Photo by Rod Mongenel
… and see if there are any pieces here (which had been created by Pixar staffers just for this CAM fundraiser) that you just can't live without?
Photo by Rod Mongenel
Or maybe it would be smarter to grab a bite at the buffet …
Photo by Rod Mongenel
… or – better yet – a snack at Café Luxo?
Photo by Rod Mongenel
Everywhere you looked, there were all these amazing things on display. Take – for example – all of the Academy Awards that Pixar Animations Studios has won to date.
Photo by Rod Mongenel
Or human-sized Lego versions of Sheriff Woody & Buzz Lightyear of Star Command
Photo by Rod Mongenel
You could check out tiny photographs of every Pixar employee who works in Emeryville …
Photo by Rod Mongenel
… or supersized versions of the concept art that had been created for "Toy Story 3."
Photo by Rod Mongenel
Which really allowed you to admire & appreciate all of the detail that Pixar's artists put into these concept paintings.
Photo by Rod Mongenel
And then there were the mystery signs. Which made you think "What is a Toy Story 3 Science Fair? And how do I get myself and/or my child invited to that event?"
Photo by Rod Mongenel
But then you think: "Stop wasting your time reading signs." After all, there are character drawing classes to attend …
Photo by Rod Mongenel
… and genuine Pixar artists & technicians on hand …
Photo by Rod Mongenel
… who'd be more than happy to personalize your copy pf "The Art of Toy Story 3 ."
Photo by Rod Mongenel
Speaking of "Toy Story 3," Lee Unkrich introduced a screening of this summer blockbuster at Pixar's state-of-the-art theater.
Photo by Rod Mongenel
And – if you timed things just right – you could even catch Lee out in the lobby. Where "TS3" 's director might even sign your sketchbook.
Photo by Rod Mongenel
Which is why – as this year's Cartoon Art Museum fundraiser drew to a close … You know, you kind of felt like Woody & Buzz at the end of "Toy Story 3," when Andy was heading off to college. You were kind of blue because you just didn't want the fun to stop.
Photo by Rod Mongenel
Well, I guess there's always next year. Thanks, Luigi. We had a ball
Photo by Rod Mongenel
Special thanks to the Cartoon Art Museum for inviting JHM to cover this event, to Pixar Animation Studios for allowing representatives of this website to come on the Emeryville campus & then take pictures at this annual fundraisers and (finally) to Gina & Rod Mongenel for all the great pictures they took at this year's CAM fundraiser.
Photo by Rod Mongenel
And speaking of CAM … If you'd like to learn more about the Cartoon Art Museum and all the swell events that are regularly held at this San Francisco-based institution (including this Thursday night's "Day and Night" discussion & signing with Pixar's own Teddy Newton), please click on this link.