The nine historic Oregon animation and cartooning figures who inspired the founding of the Institute in 2007 are:
Homer Davenport (1867 – 1912) Hearst newspaper editorial cartoonist. One of America’s first media superstars. From Silverton.
Vance DeBar “Pinto” Colvig (1892 – 1967) Director of the first animated color feature, Creation (1919). Transitioned into a career with Disney, who viewed him as a mentor. From Jacksonville.
Carl Barks (1901 – 2000) Self taught animator turned Disney comic book auteur. Creator of the Donald Duck comic books. Crucial influence on R. Crumb. From Merrill.
Mel Blanc (1908 – 1989) Musician turned Warner Brothers voice artist. Most influential voice artist in the world. From Portland.
Ralph Wright (1908 – 1988) Story man, story board artist and writer for Disney. Co-directed Perri, which won the Golden Bear in Berlin in 1957. From Grants Pass.
Basil Wolverton (1909 – 1978) Self taught cartoonist who pioneered the gross out Mad Magazine style of drawing. A second Oregonian often cited by the legendary R. Crumb. From Central Point.
Marc Davis (1913 – 2000) Fine artist turned lead animator for Disney. Graduated from the same high school as James Ivory and Chris Eyre. From Klamath Falls.
George Bruns (1914 – 1983) Jazz musician turned movie composer. Nominated for four Oscars. A Disney lifer. From Sandy.
Harry Smith (1923 – 1991) Self taught abstract animator. Also self taught ethnomusicologist. Enormously influential in both fields. Widely regarded as insane. Born in Portland.
