Where else can you go from exploring themes of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness to asking the age old question What Makes Us Smile?

Why, at none other than the American Visionary Art Museum, which kicks off its 15th anniversary with an exhibit that brings top laughter experts to its midst.

The exhibit runs from October 9, 2010 through September 4, 2011. Matt Groening, of The Simpsons fame will curate, together with artist Gary Panter, and AVAM founder Rebecca Hoffberger.

What tickles our human fancy and allows us to see the humorous side to life’s fleeting moments? In a world beset by so much strife, natural disasters, hunger and poverty, what makes us pause and either roar with laughter or, simply, smile?

In 2009, PBS released what it dubbed “a six-hour comedy epic showcasing the most hilarious men, women, and moments in American entertainment and why they made us laugh.” The documentary, titled, Make ‘Em Laugh: the funny business of America, attempted to chronicle the history of laughter, and featured renowned comedians including the Smothers Brothers, Carol Burnett, Sid Caesar, George Carlin, Cheech Marin, Chris Rock, and Mary Tyler Moore, among many others. http://www.pbs.org/wnet/makeemlaugh/

AVAM’s exhibit is equally ambitious and promises to be a virtual ‘hands on’ experience for all visitors, who will be welcomed by a ‘seven-thousand toothbrush welcome mat that uses bristles and color to invite a 'SMILE' from all who enter.’

Even better, AVAM brings together well known names in the areas of humor and laughter. Among them, Baltimore native John Waters; Patch Adams, MD; author Frank Warren; author and researcher, Dr. Robert S. Provine, recently featured on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered in a segment appropriately titled ‘Do Apes Laugh When Tickled?’ http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=104952197

If that’s not enough, you will also delight in the work of artist Peter Hudson, a favorite of Burning Man, an annual, week-long festival which brings together artists and other free spirits to Black Rock Desert, Nevada for a truly unforgettable experience.http://www.burningman.com/whatisburningman/

The American Visionary Art Museum is not shy about its mission, or about the artists it features. AVAM will thrust your adventuresome spirit into a world of pleasure, amusement, or, perhaps, into irony or derision, states of being that, according to Webster’s, define ‘smile.’

Whatever your reaction, you will not leave unmoved.

Come one, come all and join the fun at 800 Key Highway, Baltimore, Maryland 21230. To contact AVAM directly, please call 410-244-1900. http://http://www.avam.org/