Storyboard
Object number2023.178.1
Artist
Peggy Ann Owens Skillen
Manufacturer
Sanlu Art Supply Company, Inc.
Date1971-1972
OriginNew York, NY
MediumPaperboard; Paint; Ink; Adhesive tape
Credit LineGift of Suzetta Large
DescriptionMixed media artwork on rectangular paperboard. Media includes paint and ink; artwork is painted with black ink details/outlining. Front has artwork adhered to center; artwork is comprised of two different panels (top quarter and bottom three-quarters). Artwork depicts Sesame Street characters amongst various polychrome play tubes (red, orange, yellow, green, and blue). Top background is light red-orange brick wall with open window in the viewer's top left quadrant and green tree/vegetation along the viewer's right edge on the top half of the artwork. Characters include Big Bird, Grover, and Ernie, among others (ten total). Paperboard is white on the front and mustard yellow on reverse. DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (Object only): 30.125 x 20 x 0.125 in. (76.5 x 50.8 x 0.3 cm)Height x Width x Depth (Framed): 35 x 22.125 x 1.5 in. (88.9 x 56.2 x 3.8 cm)
InscriptionsCentral character in the topmost group holds a sign with black text "LOVE".
Viewer's front left margin has notations in red ink including "5" and "4", the latter is crossed out.
MarksReverse has two areas of the same black printed text "OREGON 9 / ILLUSTRATION BOARD / COLD PRESS HOT PRESS / 20 X 30 30 X 40 / SANLU ART SUPPLY CO., INC. / 32 EAST 31ST STREET / NEW YORK, NEW YORK / SINGLE THICK
DOUBLE THICK".
Historical NotesSesame Street scenic design drawing, dated around 1971 – 1972. Part of a collection of artwork by Peggy Ann Owens Skillen. Collection materials suggest that Peggy Skillen worked during the transition from Sesame Street’s first season to its second and third (1971-1973). The show’s puppet and live action sequences were merged, and character concepts were finalized. When Sesame Street started, the puppets were filmed separately. Characters looked very different. Oscar the Grouch was orange. His fur turned green in Season 2. And Mr. Snuffleupagus was introduced in the beginning of season 3, on November 15, 1971, an episode for which Peggy Owen Skillen is given illustration credits. Label TextPeggy Owens Skillen helped to create the modern version of the PBS-TV show Sesame Street. A graduate of Monessen High School, Storer College, and Carnegie Tech, Skillen worked at the Pittsburgh Courier before heading to New York City. It is uncertain how she connected with Sesame Street, but collection materials suggest that she drew character sketches, possible storyboard scenes, and props. Her work symbolized the show’s commitment to giving voice to African American and urban experiences rarely depicted on TV when it debuted in 1969. Sesame Street’s producers consciously recruited a diverse staff to accomplish this purpose. Skillen later continued her role in arts and education as a reading specialist in the New York City School system. The materials in our collection show that Skillen created character sketches, possible storyboard street scenes, and perhaps items that served as props. After her work with Sesame Street, she continued her role in arts and education, working as a reading specialist in the New York City School system for many years.
Related institution
Public Broadcasting Service
Related institution
Monessen High School
Related institution
Carnegie Mellon University
Previous owner
Pittsburgh Courier
(1907 - 1966)
On View
Not on view
Stella Marrs
