First look at Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
LOS ANGELES (NBC, KYMA) - Fans of "Star Wars" and art will soon have a new museum to explore as the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, the passion project of legendary "Star Wars" creator George Lucas, will open later this month.
The force is strong in Exposition Park Wednesday where an NBC affiliate in Los Angeles got a first look inside the long-awaited new museum from Lucas.
"Storytelling is really what binds communities together. So as the museum of storytelling, we really feel that we want to make sure that we can build a community here," said Tracey Bates, Lucas Museum's CEO.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opens its doors. The museum is a love letter to art that tells a story, with 30 galleries of artwork dating from the first prehistoric cave paintings to the modern work of Japanese manga, Norman Rockwell, and even Banksy.
"I'm just thrilled people are going to get to see this level of his work amongst some of the greatest muralists of our time, Diego Rivera and Judy Becker up here," Bates expressed.
Lucas talked about the journey to get to this moment, a decades-long vision that he first tried to build in Chicago and San Francisco before breaking ground here in L.A. eight years ago.
"This is a big celebration for us because it's taken so long to get here. But it's something that I felt very, very strongly about in terms of honoring illustrators," Lucas shared.
Of course, any George Lucas museum wouldn't be complete without a "Star Wars" display, and fans of R2-D2, Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader can take in models and concept art that'll transport you to a galaxy far, far away.
Maybe more impressive than the art is the building itself, the Lucas Museum looks like it's straight out of a "Star Wars" film, designed to seem like it's floating over South L.A.
Architect Ma Yansong said for this narrative museum, the curves of the building tell their own never-ending story.
"I was inspired by the trees, the canopies around the site, the nature, the cloud that flows in the sky. I think that's what really makes people curious," Yansong explained.
The center's expected to draw crowds from around the world, but they also want to be a difference maker for South L.A.
That's why they're offering free entry for life to everyone who lives in the 90037 ZIP code around the museum.
"So as many people can join and be part of this museum as possible. Because ultimately, the stories illustrated on our walls, they're what binds us together," Bates spoke.
The museum's grand opening for the public will be on September 22.
