Lucas Museum of Narrative Art Opens in LA, Putting Storytelling at the Forefront

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is set to open its doors to the public in Los Angeles on September 22, marking the culmination of filmmaker George Lucas's long-held vision. The institution, which Lucas has described as a "temple to the people's art," is dedicated to elevating the work of illustrators, comic artists, and commercial painters to a status typically reserved for classical masters.

While the museum will certainly cater to "Star Wars" enthusiasts, CEO Tracey Bates is keen to emphasize that the famed saga represents only a small part of the institution's offerings. "Star Wars only occupies 7% of the museum, actually," Bates noted, highlighting the vast breadth of the collection that draws from the personal holdings of Lucas and his wife, Mellody Hobson.

The opening exhibition, "Star Wars in Motion," will feature iconic artifacts such as Luke Skywalker's landspeeder and speeder bikes from "Return of the Jedi." However, the museum's 100,000 square feet of gallery space is dedicated to narrative art in all its forms, from newspaper comic strips to science-fiction paperback covers.

Architect Ma Yansong of MAD, who designed the building, explained that the structure itself is intended to be a welcoming, communal space. The central plaza serves as a gateway to Exposition Park, designed with natural light and shade to encourage gathering. Inside, a glass elevator ascends to gallery floors that offer panoramic views of downtown LA, with observation spaces designed to evoke the feeling of being inside a spaceship.

Lucas's decision to include a dedicated space for architecture within the museum stems from his belief that architecture is itself a form of narrative art. "We live inside architecture... they should be our friends, they should be our family," Yansong said, reflecting Lucas's vision that buildings should cater to our inner needs.

Senior Curator Ryan Linkof noted the unique challenge and thrill of displaying these works. Many pieces, originally created for magazine covers or trading cards, were crafted on a grand scale for technical and aesthetic reasons, and seeing them in person offers a powerful experience that connects visitors to the stories they love.