Attendees shouted "Lucas! Lucas! Lucas!" and clapped their hands in anticipation of the legendary director's arrival, and gave the 81-year-old Lucas a standing ovation as he took his seat.
"The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is a first-of-its-kind institution dedicated to illustrated storytelling across time, cultures, and media," a press release from the museum said.
The four-hectare campus, in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, will include a green space and a 27,870-square-metre building with galleries, two theatres, a library, restaurant, cafe, and retail and community spaces.
Some of its collection will include art from comic book artist Jack Kirby, painter Norman Rockwell and illustrator Kadir Nelson, as well as a Lucas archive with models, props, concept art and costumes.
"I love all art, no matter what it is," Lucas said after showing a video that gave a sneak peek at the museum.
The video included renderings of the museum interior and exterior, as well as the museum's broad range of art ranging from more traditional fine art and comic book strips to Star Wars sculptures and installations.
Lucas began the panel recalling his days as a college student struggling to pursue his dream of becoming an art collector due to the steep cost of fine art.
But the filmmaker found an affordable exception with comic books, sold cheaply in "underground" markets.
Now, rather than selling art he collected over around 50 years, Lucas said he prefers to create what he calls a "temple to the people's art."
Lucas kept the conversation focused on the museum and did not discuss Star Wars or Indiana Jones.
5°C