Animazing Overview for Print

Established in 1984, the gallery has built a reputation for hosting sensational and cutting edge events, acquiring exceptional original artwork, and maintaining a knowledgeable staff with the utmost integrity.
Charter member in The Animation Art Guild and member of the Society of Illustrators, MoCCA, (Museum of Comic & Cartoon Art) The Charles Schulz Museum, The Chuck Jones Center for Creativity and the American Craft Council.
The gallery has three physical locations – in SoHo and Westchester, New York – in southern France in a castle, and a virtual location at www.Animazing.com.
(Married) Owners Heidi Leigh and Nick Leone are two of the most respected names in the industry. Leigh is currently on the board of directors for MoCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art) and an advisor for Art World Magazine. She has served on an advisory board for a Disney marketing group, has been consulted by Christie’s East and Sotheby’s auction houses, authored numerous articles and curated museum exhibitions at the NY Historical Society and The Indianapolis Museum in Indiana. Nick is a cartoonist, the President of Screaming Wedgie Entertainment, a cartoon production company, a legend among collectors, and a top expert in the industry.
Animazing events are often a vehicle to make the world a better place; many benefits have been hosted, including the 2006 kick-off for Toys for Tots with Whoopi Goldberg as the guest of honor. The gallery supports World Hunger Year, Variety, Broadway Cares and The National Breast Cancer Foundation, to name a few.
Animazing has been written up in every major New York publication and trade magazine over the years. Heidi Leigh has appeared on CNBC, CBS, NBC, ABC, The Today Show, Today in NY, the National Morning Show and numerous radio shows.
Niche magazine has repeatedly recognized the gallery as among the prestigious Top 100 Retail Galleries of American Craft; Westchester Magazine voted the Hastings on Hudson showroom in 2003, 04 & 05.
Gibson Guitars launched a collection of art guitars at Animazing Gallery with a benefit that filled the gallery“Best of” Westchester" with celebrities, and raised $15,000.00 for autistic children that are healed with Music at NYU.
Chuck Jones, one of the Fathers of Bugs Bunny is one of the esteemed icons in the world of animation who has been the guest of honor at an Animazing event. Other notables are Bill Melendez, of PEANUTS fame, Jim Davis, the father of Garfield, Marc Davis, one of Disney’s famed “Nine Old Men,” Myron Waldman, who drew Popeye, Maurice Noble, the background artist at Warner Bros Studios and Bob Singer, the head animator under Bill Hanna and Joe Barbara.
A notable auction to benefit autistic kids was hosted by Broadway star Robert Even, who sang a popular number that he made famous in “Jekyll & Hyde,” on the mezzanine level at Animazing Gallery in Soho.
In 2005, Animazing Gallery opened a new location at the Chateau de Belcastel in southern France, with museum exhibitions and numerous galleries in this superb historic monument.
Animazing Gallery has been a part of at the International Art Expo in New York City since 1992, where Leigh has given seminars in 2004 and 2005.

Collection Facts

In 2006, collaboration with United Media and sculptor David Kracov to create and launch an exclusive collection of limited edition PEANUTS sculptures presented in shadowboxes was applauded by collectors.
Critically acclaimed watercolorist Daniel Merriam was the guest of honor at his first one man show in Soho, also in 2006. His original and graphic works will continue to be showcased permanently, which will redefine Animazing as a more serious fine art gallery.
In 1997, an expansion into Fine Art bought renowned PEANUTS pop art artist Tom Everhart to Animazing Gallery for his only gallery appearance of the century. The gallery continues to showcase his originals and graphics exclusively on the East coast in the US and in France.
Exclusive gallery representative of Walt Disney Art, FOX, Warner Bros., Peanuts, Hanna Barbera, and Cartoon Network in New York.
Animazing Gallery represents The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss exclusively in New York, kicked off the International Museum Tour.
Animazing Gallery has a significant collection of original illustration art by contemporary American masters such as Charles Schulz and Dr Seuss.
The gallery has published and distributed to galleries through the nation The Art of Underdog, by creator Joseph Harris.
Ralph Bakshi, renowned animator/director/artist showcased his original drawings and oil paintings exclusively with Animazing Gallery for 6 years.
Animazing Gallery has showcased, and published exclusively, paintings by internationally acclaimed fine artist Vicky Montesinos in 1998 and 1999. Her work is still showcased at Animazing Gallery in Soho