A museum more than a decade in the making from “Star Wars” director George Lucas is finally opening its doors to the public in Los Angeles.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, a massive museum that commands the eye and often likened to a spacecraft, joins Exposition Park and all its offerings, like the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California Science Center. Here, you’ll find comics and cave paintings, Norman Rockwell and Banksy — and recently, A-listers galore (Steven Spielberg, Oprah, Robert De Niro, Samuel L. Jackson, just to name a few).
Here’s what you need to know as the Lucas Museum holds its public opening on Tuesday, Sept. 22:
What is narrative art?
Ryan Linkof, senior curator and head of film programs, described it as the “art and the visual
culture that we consume every day,” such as newspaper photos, book covers, comics books and posters.
“We are interested in the work of illustrators who have brought stories to life, those who have excelled at translating words into vivid images,” Linkof said earlier September.
What can I see, do at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art?
There are over 40,000 works of art in the Lucas Museum’s collection.
Enter the gallery space on the first floor, and among what you’ll find is a reproduction of Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s “Joan of Arc” and a reproduction of a sun stone from the Aztecs. Then take a trip to the Sistine Chapel and see Michelangelo’s “The Creation of Adam,” and be transported to the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Turkey.
It’s a trip through the history of narrative art, according to Linkof — one featuring “faithful” reproductions of “immovable artworks and architecture” found globally, according to CEO Tracey Bates.
“This unique exhibition conveys that simple, yet profound idea: Humans have always used images to tell stories,” Linkof said. “Those stories have produced a common mythology — stories of heroes, leaders and sacred traditions that have inspired devotion, forged communities and shaped societies.”
Head up to the fourth-floor gallery space to see an extensive collection by Norman Rockwell and exhibits that showcase comics and children’s stories — just to name a few.
Be sure to stop by the “Star Wars” exhibit on this level, too.
On display is production art, costumes and characters from Lucas’ culture-defining work.
The fifth-floor gallery space features work from Banksy, the famed anonymous street artist. That includes their work “After George Floyd,” which depicts what appears to be the flame of a candle lit for a memorial that is beginning to burn the corner of an American flag. Just beyond the gallery’s mural area is an exit with impressive views of Los Angeles.
The museum also has two theaters that will screen documentaries and shorts, including animation and experimental cinema, and a research library open to the public.
Be sure to enjoy the green space surrounding the museum, which features sculptures depicting "Star Wars" characters like Princess Leia and benches you can sit on.
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art ticket prices
According to the museum's website, tickets are:
- $25 for adults
- Free for children under 12
- Free for children 13-17 with a valid ID
- $21 for adults 65 and older
From there, visitors will select a date and time to visit. Last entry is 45 minutes before closing; The museum closes at 5 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday and 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
The museum previously announced that people who live in ZIP code 90037 can experience the museum for free with the new LM37 pass.
Is there food at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art?
The Skywalker Grill will be open both to museum visitors and the public for lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch, featuring American cuisine with California-grown ingredients, the museum previously announced.
The museum also has a cafe on its first floor.
How to get to Lucas Museum of Narrative Art using public transportation
LA Metro’s E Line, which spans East Los Angeles to Santa Monica, stops at Exposition Park. You can visit Metro’s website to map out your route by entering your starting point and destination. You can also see a map of Metro’s services, including its bus routes, on Metro’s website.
Where is the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art?
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is located at 3800 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles.
Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at pbarraza@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: George Lucas finally opens massive LA museum. What you'll find there
