Blu and Jewel from "Rio," ™ & ©2011 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

Last weekend Blue Sky Studios released Rio, their latest 3D computer animated film, about a rare, blue macaw who travels to the exotic land of Brazil for love and adventure. The movie has earned glowing reviews and landed as the #1 film in America, taking in $40 million during its opening weekend (the best showing for a movie so far this year)! Spring is in the air… but will Blu and his pals manage to soar once again during this Easter Weekend?

This June Norman Rockwell Museum will go behind the scenes of Rio, presenting original artwork from the film as part of its newest exhibition “Ice Age” To The Digital Age: The 3D Animation Art of Blue Sky Studios. As a cross-promotion, the Museum is currently teaming up with the Beacon and Triplex cinemas in the Berkshires to offer discounted admission to the upcoming exhibition with purchase of a ticket for Rio at either theater—check the theater’s websites for more information on this “early bird special!”

A unique interactive exhibit,“Ice Age” To The Digital Age will explore the creative work of Blue Sky Studios, a leader in the animation industry for over 20 years. Creators of such blockbuster films as the Ice Age series, Robots, Dr. Seuss’ Horton Hears a Who!, the studio prides itself on technical innovation, while retaining a strong narrative heart. Storyboards, character and background art, 3D and digital modeling and more from Blue Sky Studios will be offer an exciting glimpse into the behind-the-scenes process of creating animated images in the 21st century. Catch a sneak preview of the exhibition in the trailer below:

Related articles on the rise of CGI animation:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/movies/2011/04/rio-movie-jesse-eisenberg-animated-box-office.html

http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2011-04-15-rio15_CV_N.htm