Although animation had its earliest beginnings in Europe in the 1800s, it took root in the U.S. at the dawn of the 20th century and is considered to be a true American art form.

"Cheshire Cat - Krafty "Kitty" by Disney Opening Friday, May 29, at the Monmouth Museum, "A Century of Smiles" pays tribute to the animation studios and their creative artists who have entertained us for the past 100 years, both on the silver screen and on TV.

The exhibition features vintage and contemporary animation art from the Cel-ebration! Animation Art Gallery in Red Bank.

The exhibit will run through July 5, with an opening reception Friday 6-8 p.m.

The history of this art form will be illustrated in production art from the hand-animated short "Gertie the Dinosaur," circa 1914, and many other decades of films, through computer generated images from Pixar and Blue Sky Studios.

Visitors will learn about the process of animation and get a first-hand view of original cels, drawings, storyboards, maquettes, backgrounds, model sheets and the various steps involved in creating the finished product - a cartoon.

"Steamboat Willie" Animation artist Mike Kupka, whose work is featured in the exhibit, will create his interpretation of animated characters from Disney classics during a demonstration at the museum 2:30-4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 13. He will demonstrate the techniques and design process used to capture the likeness and the personality of these cartoon movie stars.

The Monmouth Museum is located on the Brookdale Community College Campus in Lincroft. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $7, Brookdale students and staff with a valid I.D. and children under two are free. For more information, call 732-747- 2266, or visit the website at www.monmouthmuseum.org.

"Cartoon Moviestars" by artist T.R. Schorr