Reach for the Sky: A Nostalgic New Laneway Exhibition Is Dedicated to Toy Story

Howey Place, the laneway hidden behind Melbourne CBD’s historic 234 Collins St, has its own kind of magic. A rainbow neon sign pays homage to the 19th-century book arcade run by EW Cole – described as Australia’s own Willy Wonka – just by Presgrave Place, an adjoining laneway with mixed media art and handwritten notes all over its walls.

But for just two weeks this October, Howey Place will come alive with even more magic. The exhibition Toy Story: 30 Years & Beyond commemorates three decades since the original film – Pixar’s first feature – came to cinemas, and will take audiences through the silver screen and into the charming world of the franchise.

“The idea is that even as an adult, you feel like a big kid walking in,” says curator and art director Eddie Zammit. “Going down a laneway is a very Melbourne thing – it’s part of our DNA. So it’s that idea of discovery and seeing what you find, and in the short period that the exhibition will be on, I hope people will come across it by surprise.”

Curating an exhibition that captures the essence of iconic Toy Story characters is no small feat. How do you capture the magic of a beloved film franchise that’s lasted three decades – and counting, with Toy Story 5 due for release in 2026? Well, if there’s anyone perfectly placed to do it, it’s Eddie Zammit.

He knows pop culture. He’s previously curated the Mickey Mouse 90th anniversary exhibition which took over Melbourne Central’s shot tower in 2019, as well as Marvel: Journey of Heroes and a pop-up gallery for Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

“I’ve worked with over 500 artists over the last 20 years,” Zammit says. “I’ve narrowed down a field of different artists to be able to get the 30 artists that I thought best encapsulated Toy Story.” Each of the 30 artists is reimagining one of 30 characters from the films – you won’t see the same character captured twice. Zammit says he paired each artist with a character based on not only their skill set but also their style or “vibe” as an artist.

There’s plenty of Australian talent among the artists. Melbourne-based illustrator Cat Berruer will be putting her own spin on Jessie; Ballarat illustrator Travis Price is reimagining Buzz Lightyear; and Sydney’s Lewy Jones, who has illustrated tour posters for bands like Blink-182 and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard, will be re-interpreting Evil Emperor Zurg as a “rock god”. Other artists hand-picked by Zammit hail from Canada, Switzerland, the US, the UK, Spain and beyond, bringing a diversity of artistic backgrounds in street art, murals, apparel design, fan art, children’s book illustrations and typography.

The result? A gallery that’s for both kids and kids at heart. You’d be hard-pressed to find a 1990s or 2000s kid who didn’t have or want a Woody, Jessie or Buzz Lightyear toy. “The essence of Toy Story is that it’s all about toys. So to walk into a space and see something that you’re wowed by, that’s the goal of the show,” Zammit says.

But it isn’t just for kids to watch and big kids to reminisce about – adults watching for the first time can find hidden jokes just for them, too.

“I’ve been watching the movies on repeat for the last few months to refresh myself, and it’s exceptionally intelligent and funny humour, a lot of observational humour,” Zammit says.

In addition to the art gallery, the exhibition will feature a timeline chronicling Toy Story ’s 30 years of history, as well as displays jam-packed with memorabilia dating back to 1995.

In the current era of “iPad kids”, analogue toys aren’t disappearing, but they’re definitely evolving. Zammit worked with Dennis Kafkis, owner of Lobos Collectables (which Zammit calls “the best vintage toy memorabilia space in Australia”), to acquire and curate a collection of over 100 vintage Toy Story toys and artefacts, from a small version of the aliens’ claw machine to more recent items from Toy Story collaborations, including some with sneaker brands. The space will also feature The Toy Box by DisneyStore.com.au, offering a curated selection of special Toy Story products celebrating 30 years of the iconic franchise.

Nostalgia has had a dramatic evolution in terms of how it’s been perceived by society. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, nostalgia was considered a psychological condition that required treatment. But in today’s world, nostalgia is something we celebrate. Films like Toy Story tap into memories of the freedom and imagination of childhood.

“I guess nostalgia is something that we can control. We know what we like. I think that the collector market has really encapsulated why nostalgia has become so big in 2025. Whilst we go into the future – the unknown – we’re always looking at the past as well, because of the things that make us happy and the things that are memorable.”

Toy Story: 30 Years & Beyond will run from October 18 to November 2 at 234 Collins St. For more information visit Disney.com.au.

This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with Disney and Pixar.