Findlay, Ohio, July 23, 2004 – Fifteen noted artists and authors of children’s picture books will serve as keynote speakers for the Mazza Museum’s 2004 Mazza Summer Institute at The University of Findlay July 26-30.
With the theme “Children’s Picture Books: Windows on the World,” a typical day at the institute will include as many as four keynote addresses, pull-out sessions, breakfast, lunch and autographing sessions.
The institute, which is held annually, provides undergraduate and graduate credit for predominantly teachers and school librarians. This year, 250 participants from 26 states will come to hear the interesting and often hilarious tales told by prominent children’s book illustrators.
The keynote speakers are Robert Bender, whose most popular books are “Barnyard Song,” “Lima Beans Would Be Illegal” and “Never Eat Anything that Moves;” Lisa Desimini, artist of many books such as “Anansi Does the Impossible,” “When Bear Came Down from the Sky,” “Moon Soup” and “Sun and Moon;” historical artist Michael Dooling, whose many books include “Lewis and Clark and Me: A Dog’s Tale,” “The Amazing Life of Benjamin Franklin and George Washington: A Picture Book Biography” and “Uncle James;” children’s literature icon Jack Gantos, whose numerous books include the popular cat series about “Rotten Ralph;”
Barbara Garrison, the artist of “Only One” and several other children’s books; Steve Geck, executive editor of Greenwillow Books, one of the United States’ most prominent children’s books publishers; Bobbye Goldstein, director of the Center for Children’s Poetry at Fordham University and prominent educator and children’s poet; Marc and Cheryl Harshman, have written several books together, and Marc is the author of “Only One” and “The Storm;” Caldecott Award-winner Anita Lobel, the artist of many works including “On Market Street,” “A Rose in My Garden,” “A Treeful of Pigs,” “This Quiet Lady,” “Alison’s Zinnia” and “No Pretty Picture;” Thomas Locker, artist of more than 30 children’s books such as “Sky Tree,” “Between Earth and Sky,” “Cloud Dance” and “The Boy Who Held Back the Sea;”
Newcomer Kevin S. Luthhardt, artist of “Mine,” “Peep!” and “Larabee;” Richard Michelson, children’s book reviewer for “The New York Times Book Review,” and author of works such as “Ten Times Better,” “Did You Say Ghosts?” and “Tap Dancing for the Relatives;” Wendell Minor, artist of more than 2,000 book covers and books including “Arctic Son,” “Everglades,” “Sierra,” “Abe Lincoln Remembers,” “Red Fox Running” and “Shaker Hearts;” and three-dimensional artist Victoria Raymond, whose works include “What’s in Your Lunch Box?,” “Bumble Bee,” “Still-Life Stew,” “The Oreo Cookie Counting Book” and “Brown Cow, Green Grass and Yellow Mellow Sun.”
Mazza’s Gallery Five is host to 31 pieces of art Minor has loaned the museum from 29 of his children’s books. Two of these artworks will be donated to the museum. The Minor exhibit will be on display at the Mazza Museum through Aug. 31.
The Mazza Museum of International Art from Children’s Picture Books is the first and largest teaching gallery of its kind in the world. The museum was founded in 1982 with four pieces and was named for the first benefactors, Dr. August Mazza and his late wife, Aleda, alumni of the University. Today, the Mazza Museum contains more than 2,300 pieces of original artwork and conducts extensive educational programs to promote literacy and a lifelong appreciation of literature and the arts. More than 5,000 individuals visit the Museum each year.
