Plans are underway for an exhibit and auction of original Phil Hartman art to be held in Brantford, Owen Sound and Toronto, Ontario . Fourteen drawings will be on display, beginning in January in Brantford, Phil’s hometown at The Station Coffee House and Gallery.  Plans for an online auction of three original pieces of art are underway, with proceeds from the auction benefiting the Stedman Community Hospice in Brantford, as well as Sheatre, the award winning community theatre located in Kemble, Ontario.

These never before seen pieces by Hartman were “rescued” by Paul Hartmann, Phil’s younger brother, and our XENOVISION CEO/President after Phil’s death in 1998. Included in the exhibit will be the complete set of ink drawings done by Phil of the planned XENOVISION productions  of Yogi and The Kid and original sketches of Edgar Screwhead.

Stay tuned to XENOVISION for up to date news about this exciting event!

Paul Hartmann, XENOVISION CEO and President, will be attending the 2010 Ottawa International Animation Festival’s  Television Animation Conference (TAC)  October 20 and 21st to pitch XENOVISION projects to animation industry executives. The Ottawa festival is the largest animation festival in all of North America, attracting over 27,000 attendees and more than 1800 industry professionals. The TAC conference allows companies to sit down for a ten minute session and pitch their story ideas to networks such as Disney, Teletoon, YTV and Nickelodeon.

We will keep you up to date on what comes of this great opportunity for XENOVISION!

Joan Chandler of Sheatre Named Winner of First Annual Phil Hartman Arts and Humanitarian Award

Joan Chandler, Artistic Director of Sheatre, the Ontario based educational alternative theatre, has been announced as the winner of the first annual Phil Hartman Arts and Humanity Award. Chandler will receive the award at the Gala Night of the Brantford Comedy Festival to be held at the Sanderson Centre in Brantford on September 25, 2010.

Paul Hartmann, Phil’s brother will be onstage to present Chandler with the inaugural award. “ My brother Phil always wanted to devote his time, attention and effort to the community in order to draw attention to the arts. I see this award going to worthwhile artists and organizations that are not necessarily well known, but that need and deserve the attention. It made sense to me to choose Joan as the first honoree.  She is humble, kindhearted, strong and intuitively creative, with a keen eye on the future of what serves humanity through the arts.”

Joan is the founding Artistic Director of Sheatre, which celebrated its 25^th anniversary in May of 2010. She has been involved in the creation and production of hundreds of plays and workshops across Canada, England and the United States, focusing in recent years on the creation of works that celebrate community and creative spirit. Joan is a four time recipient of the Ontario Arts Council Artists in Education Award.

The Phil Hartman Arts and Humanitarian Award is being designed by Paul Hartmann and Grant Nicholson of Nicholsondesign, located in Owen Sound, Ontario.  The award itself is a one of a kind design, made of a solid piece of hardwood and enclosing the innards of a Magic 8 Ball, an homage to an unusual Hartmann family tradition. “ We envision the award itself to reflect the uniqueness, pride of craftsmanship and organic artistry that symbolizes Phil, and also each honoree”.  Using CNC manufacturing, the  award will feature Phil  Hartman’s logo and the Latin motto: “Amor Ars Humanitas”.

For more information on Sheatre, see their website, www.sheatre.com. For more information on Grant Nicholson Design, see their website, www.gnicholsondesign.com.   For a schedule of events and venues for the Brantford Comedy Festival, go to www.brantfordcomedyfestival.com

What is XENOVISION? We are a film and media production company that will be producing feature animation projects – The Secret World of Edgar Screwhead and Yogi and the Kid are from the mind and pen of Phil Hartman. Edgar and Yogi are characters Phil drew in the 1970’s prior to his stellar career as one of the most beloved and highly regarded comedic actors of our time on such shows as Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons, Newsradio and Pee Wee’s Playhouse. Prior to Phil’s acting career, he was a gifted graphic artist, designing album covers for such artists as America, Crosby, Stills and Nash, Poco and Firesign Theater.

Bullets over Broadway and Tony the Fist are original creations of Paul Hartmann, Phil’s younger brother.  Paul’s slightly askew comedic slant is very similar to his brother Phil.

Keep watching for news on when production begins on our films!