The McNay Art Museum, located in San Antonio, opened an exhibit called Dreamland to celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Nightmare Before Christmas.

The Nightmare Before Christmas is an iconic movie, released in 1993, that has dramatically impacted one of the most loved holidays of the year, Halloween. 

The director, Henry Selick, has made several exquisite, mind-boggling films such as

Coraline, and James & The Giant Peach. Tim Burton, producer of The Nightmare Before Christmas, is well-known for his eerie yet mesmerizing films including Corpse Bride, Beetlejuice, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

 Walking into the exhibit, Jack Skellington catches the eye of all who walk in. The figure is centered at the entrance and is made out of painted polymer clay and wire. The delicate details, from his facial expression to the intricate stripes on his outfit, make his character come to life. 

The exhibit showcases different setups from the film including Jack’s lair and the three mischievous kids who live in Halloween Town. Observing the Pumpkin King’s lair puts the entire movie into perspective; the tiniest details make me realize why it took over three years to complete the stop-motion animation film. Lock, Shock, and Barrel, the troublesome trick-or-treaters, have so much expression and movement I feel as if they’re going to jump out of the case and start singing “Kidnap The Sandy

Claws” while chasing all visitors for candy. 

The Hall of Peculiar Portraits features other uniquely odd paintings by Jose Clemente Orozco, Julie Heffernan, Pablo Picasso, and other painters who are known for their abstract art. These paintings, although not Nightmare Before Christmas related, create an environment where your imagination can run wild, relating to the overall theme. 

Overall, The Nightmare Before Christmas exhibit is an exceptional place to visit if you’re looking to kick off the spooky season with something fun, open to people of all ages, and is most definitely worth stopping by if you want to learn more about the work behind the scenes. 

 Getting into the exhibit costs $20 for adults and $10 for teens ages (13-19). Children ages (0-12), veterans, and military get in free of charge. If you want to wander in the minds of Burton and many other phenomenal artists you can visit Dreamland from now through Jan 14, 2024.