Findlay, Ohio, Oct. 18, 2002 —The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum of International Art from Picture Books is featuring an exhibit of works by Ohio artists and books done about Ohio.

The exhibit, called “Bicentennial 1803 to 2003, Ohio: A Wealth of Children’s Book Artists,” is designed to help celebrate the 200th anniversary of the state of Ohio.

Twenty-five Ohio artists are featured in the exhibit, which is displayed in gallery five of the Mazza Museum. The oldest book art in the Ohio collection is from Easter Rabbit Parade from 1936, illustrated by the late Lois Lenski of Anna, Ohio. The most recent book is by Nancy Johnson of Findlay called Excuse Me! from 2000. Diversity among artists is also featured in the collection, as Will Clay and Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson, both African-American artists, display their works, Tailypo and Elijah’s Angel.

Four artists from Findlay are featured in the exhibit, including Alex Baluch, Nancy Johnson, Dawn Lauck Haecker and Andrew Dittmar.

Two books written about Ohio by artists not from the state are also included in the exhibit. These include Mike Wimmer’s The Shortstop, which is about a minor league baseball team that played in Findlay at the turn of the 20th century, and Cheryl Harness’ The Amazing Impossible Erie Canal.

Ohio towns represented in the exhibit include Anna, Kent, Alliance, Chesterville, Granville, Genford, Columbus, Cincinnati, Hamilton, Springfield, Union City, Kenton, LaFayette, Van Wert, Findlay, Toledo, Fremont and Bellevue. A map of the location of each artist is also on display.

The Mazza Museum is open to the public from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday and from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is free.

An official opening of the exhibit will be held sometime in early 2003.