North Building

The Magic of Sesame Street

June 14, 2025 – September 27, 2025

Curated by Mary Platt

Since its television debut in 1969, Sesame Street has enchanted generations of children and families with its lively blend of education, humor, music and heart. Created by Joan Ganz Cooney and the Children’s Television Workshop (now Sesame Workshop), the groundbreaking PBS show brought to life an unforgettable cast of Muppets and human characters who taught letters, numbers, kindness and curiosity—changing the face of children’s television forever.

In 1970, the joyful spirit of Sesame Street leapt off the screen and onto the page with the launch of Sesame Street Magazine. Published for nearly four decades, the magazine provided young readers with a monthly mix of stories, games, songs, and activities—all guided by the same educational values and creative flair that made the show iconic.

Central to the magazine’s success was its vibrant artwork: original illustrations created by a talented team of artists whose images gave life to Big Bird, Cookie Monster, Grover, Bert and Ernie, and dozens more beloved characters in new and imaginative settings.

“The Magic of Sesame Street” celebrates this rich legacy of illustration with a delightful selection of original paintings and drawings from Sesame Street Magazine, all part of The Hilbert Collection. Assembled by museum founder Mark Hilbert, this collection honors the artistry behind the magazine and the illustrators who captured the warmth, wit and visual magic of Sesame Street on every page.

These rarely seen works reveal the extraordinary skill and imagination behind children’s media—each piece created not only to entertain, but also to inspire and educate. Whether portraying familiar faces in whimsical adventures or encouraging young minds to explore new ideas, these illustrations remain as enchanting today as when they first delighted readers decades ago.

We invite you to rediscover Sesame Street through the eyes of the artists who helped bring its stories to life in print—and to experience the enduring magic that continues to shape childhoods around the world.