WELCOME TO THE STAIRWELL THAT TELLS THE STORY OF A STUDIO…ONE STEP AND SKETCH AT A TIME.
From 2000 to 2023, the Cartoon Network Studios building in Downtown Burbank stood as a vibrant symbol of creativity and a nurturing ground for original animation and artists of diverse talents and backgrounds. It was not merely a workplace, but a canvas for imagination and innovation.
Among the many areas of the building that symbolized this spirit was the, now iconic, artist stairwell. This stairwell was a living testament to the studio’s collective creativity, where anyone from artists to accountants and everyone in between, left their unique mark on the walls in the form of drawings, doodles, and sketches.
While Cartoon Network Studios proudly carries on its legacy in a new space, there were some parts of the original building that we couldn’t bear to lose.
The artist stairwell is now immortalized through this website which presents a ‘flythrough’ 3D tour of the space. We are thrilled to invite you to take a virtual stroll through a piece of animation history.
Do you have an artist stairwell photo or story you’d like to include? Share your memories with us for an opportunity to see your annotation featured in our virtual tour. Visit the link below to submit today.
SPECIAL THANKS
Calvin Wong – For his vision in conceptualizing this experience, and his efforts in gathering stories from artists past and present.
The Warner Bros. Design Studio: Luis Galvez, Don Sprouls, Craig McNabb – For your support in photographing the stairwell and building the 3D experience.
Roan Everly - Whose inspiring technical groundwork ignited the spark that became this project.
To the Cartoon Network Studios family, past and present: whether you're an artist, part of the production team, or a member of the studio staff, your contribution has been instrumental. Thank you for weaving your creativity into the very fabric of our studio and for being an invaluable chapter in our story.