Toys in the Attic is a celebration of toys, to benefit those without them. The annual Toys in the Attic event is both a toy drive and art show – featuring limited-edition, toy-inspired poster prints and custom-created toys. 100% of the door donations and toys collected go to The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation – along with 80% of art print sales.
The Backstory
Toys in the Attic was founded in 2008 by Steve Tennebrini – Founder and Creative Director of Squad19 Creative Union.
Inspired by the classic album art for Aerosmith’s TOYS IN THE ATTIC, Tenebrini wanted to collect work that celebrated the darker side of the joy that toys can bring or the nightmares they might conjure.
The first event was held at Gallery 122 in NE Minneapolis and featured work by locals Adam Turman, Amy Jo, DC Ice, Dwitt, AAron Purmort, Punchgut, Tenebrini, TOOTH, Unitus and more. The turnout was impressive and the number of toys collected far exceeded expectations – it was decided that Toys in the Attic should become an annual event.
Last year Squad19 was joined by planner / promoter Kim Jones of INVISIBLEPILOT and was held at the SooVac Gallery in Uptown, Minneapolis to an even greater success in 2009 with 50 local artists providing work in support of the event. Collecting more than 3 times the number of toys than the previous year and over $400 in cash donated to the charity through sales, donations taken at the door and silent auction, the 2009 show was a giant leap from the previous year.
This year the show returns to it’s original venue at Gallery 122 with an updated format and inclusion of artists from around the country/world. It’s going to be nothing short of amazing. Stay tuned.
Get Involved
ARTISTS: If you’re interested in participating in TITA 2010 contact us. The deadline for getting work in for the event will be November 1st, 2010. Please include a link to your work and tell us where you’re located.
SPONSORS: If you’re interested in becoming a Toys in the Attic sponsor, please contact us and we will get in touch with you ASAP.
