Findlay, Ohio, Feb. 19, 2001 —Seventeen noted artists and authors of children’s picture books will serve as keynote speakers for the 2001 Mazza Summer Institute at The University of Findlay July 23-27.

With the theme "Children’s Picture Books: Windows on the World," the institute will include a daily continental breakfast, keynote speakers and autograph sessions.

The keynote speakers include: Mary Azarian, an artist who specializes in woodcuts and winner of the 1999 Caldecott Medal; David Diaz, winner of the 1995 Caldecott Medal for Eve Bunting’s Smokey Night; Helen Lester, author of children’s books including Tacky the Penguin; Paul Morin, a Canadian artist who specializes in illustrating books about the world’s ancient cultures such as The Dragon’s Pearl; Maryann Kovalski, a Canadian artist of such books as The Wheels on the Bus; Virginia Duncan, children’s book editor at Greenwillow Books; Lois Ehlert, artist of the 1990 Caldecott Honor book Color Zoo; Ed Emberley, winner of the 1968 Caldecott Medal for Drummer Hoff; Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen, a native of the Netherlands and artist of such books as The Legend of Mackinac Island; G. Brian Karas, artist of My Crayons Talk; Ralph Masiello, the artist known as the "Icky Bug Man," due to such book title as the Icky Bug Alphabet and Yucky Reptile Alphabet; Andrea Pinkney, author of the 1999 Caldecott Honor book Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and the Orchestra; Brian Pinkney, an artist who received Caldecott Honors in 1999 for Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and the Orchestra; Keith Polette, author of many books including Read, Write, Now!; Daniel San Souci, artist of the book The Brave Little Tailor; Roger Sutton, editor-in-chief of The Horn Book Magazine; and Ava Weiss, Children’s book art director at Greenwillow Books.

Space is limited to 350 participants, and registration closes July 18. The basic registration fee is $225, which is waived for those taking the institute for undergraduate or graduate credit. Three, four or five hours of graduate credit are available for $265 per hour, while three hours of undergraduate credit are available for $345 per credit hour.

The Mazza Collection Galleria at The University of Findlay is the first and largest teaching gallery in the world specializing in the art from children’s picture books.

To register, call Ben Sapp at 419-434-4560