MORRISTOWN, NJ.- The Morris Museum announced that it will host the first ever AutomataCon, a convention celebrating automatons and related kinetic art. The event will be held at the Morris Museum, home of the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata, on Saturday, March 19 and Sunday, March 20, 2016.

AutomataCon will convene premier artists, collectors, historians, and authors in the automaton community from around the world to share ideas, build relationships, and grow interest in automata. The idea for the convention stemmed from the fellowship shown on the Automata / Automaton Group and Mechanical Adventures Group on Facebook. The two-day event will feature panel discussions, Museum tours, live demonstrations, and social gatherings.

“Never has there been an automaton convention such as this," said Jeremie Ryder, Conservator of the Guinness Collection. "It is clearly attracting the widest possible array of artists, collectors, historians and pure enthusiasts of this historic, decorative and kinetic art form. There will be something for everyone, all ages, to enjoy, be amazed and experience during this weekend event."

AutomataCon is being organized by Brett King, AutomataCon Founder and Convention Chair, with Jeremie Ryder, Conservator of the Guinness Collection at the Morris Museum and Michele Marinelli, Curator of the Guinness Collection at the Morris Museum.

Further program and ticket information is available on the convention’s website, automatacon.org.