The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Exposition Park is just weeks away from its public debut, and it’s arriving with a few surprises in tow. While the building itself, designed by Ma Yansong, has been a conversation piece in Los Angeles for years, the museum recently announced an unexpected addition to its sprawling collection: a dedicated gallery featuring murals by the British street artist Banksy. This last-minute reveal adds another layer to George Lucas's vision for narrative art, which spans everything from Winnie the Pooh illustrations to works by Frida Kahlo.
The Murals gallery, located on the fifth floor of the museum, will be home to the Banksy pieces. Visitors navigating the museum's rather tricky elevator system to the top floor will find themselves among works by activist artists like Diego Rivera, Judith Baca, and JR. Along the back of this gallery, two walls are devoted to Banksy. Many of the featured pieces are instantly recognizable, such as the silhouette of a little girl letting go of a heart-shaped balloon, re-stenciled onto surfaces within the exhibition. The gallery also provides an interesting look at the artist’s process, displaying one of the stencils used in the creation of these works. A unique installation featuring a golf scene, complete with an unattended golf cart and a bucket of KFC, is also part of the collection, though photography is not permitted. Outside the Children’s Stories gallery, another new Banksy piece awaits: a pair of lion statues with a suspiciously missing tamer, evoking a "cat-who-ate-the-canary" vibe.
George Lucas explained his passion during a press preview, stating, "A picture is very powerful. And stories are very powerful. And you combine them together, and those two elements create a society." This ethos underpins the entire 100,000 square feet of gallery space, which houses more than 1,300 works from his personal collection. The museum's dozen themed galleries cover diverse subjects from History and Sports to Love and Family. Visitors might encounter a painting of dogs playing poker steps away from Christian Bale’s Batman costume from *The Dark Knight*, or an unexpected sketch by Picasso. Norman Rockwell’s work is particularly prominent, with a large dedicated gallery and pieces appearing throughout other themed exhibits. Galleries are also devoted to artists like N.C. Wyeth, Jessie Willcox Smith, Maxfield Parrish, Frank Frazetta, and Thomas Hart Benton. Fans of sequential art will find original *Peanuts* comic strips in the Comics gallery, while the Children’s Stories gallery offers a nostalgic journey through illustrations from beloved fairy tales and classics like *Where the Wild Things Are* and *Madeline*. For those interested in the evolution of art, a ground-floor gallery traces the history of narrative art from ancient Egypt to the present day, using a mix of immersive technology, digital reproductions, and original pieces.
And yes, for anyone wondering, *Star Wars* is certainly present. The Cinema gallery, also known by its debut title "Star Wars in Motion," showcases a variety of galactic vehicles, AT-AT models, digital art from the prequels, and screen-worn costumes on life-size re-creations of iconic characters like Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and Anakin Skywalker. C-3PO and R2-D2 also make an appearance, set against character concept art from 1975.
The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is officially located at One Lucas Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90037, within Exposition Park. While the museum's public opening is scheduled for September 22, the stated hours indicate it will be closed on Tuesdays, making Wednesday, September 23, the first day general visitors can enter. Before that, a week of previews for founding members begins on Saturday, September 5. Residents of South L.A. who live in the museum’s neighboring zip code of 90037 will have their own free community day on September 13 and can also procure an LM37 pass for ongoing free admission.
Tickets are currently available for purchase for dates between September 23 and February 28, 2027. Adult admission is $25, seniors 65 and over are $21, and children and teens aged 17 and under receive free entry. For those looking for free experiences, the museum grounds—acres of green space designed by Mia Lehrer of Studio-MLA—are open to the public, featuring bronze sculptures of figures like Rosie the Riveter, Princess Leia battling Jabba the Hutt, and a fountain with Yoda and Grogu. Inside, the Research Library on the second floor is also free to visit, offering a cozy space filled with books related to the museum's themes, available for reading on-site.
When hunger strikes, the museum offers a ground-floor cafeteria with a selection of stations, including pizza, ramen, tacos, salads, and burgers, plus a Starbucks. For a more sit-down experience, the Skywalker Grill on the top floor serves American cuisine with city views and is accessible to both museum visitors and the general public.
The museum’s operating hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10am to 5pm; Friday from 10am to 9pm; and Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm.
