Findlay, Ohio, Oct. 7, 2004 — Seven noted artists and authors of children’s picture books will serve as keynote speakers for the 2004 Mazza Weekend Institute at The University of Findlay Nov. 12-13.

The institute will include a Friday evening dinner, keynote address and autograph session as well as Saturday’s events, with five keynote addresses, lunch and autograph sessions.

The keynote speakers are Tomek Bogacki, artist and author of more than 40 children’s books such as “The Story of Blue Bird,” “Cat and Mouse in the Rain” and “I Hate You! I Like You!;” artist Robin Brickman, who uses three-dimensional paper sculpture in each of her books, including “A Log’s Life, “Beaks!,” “Swallows in the Birdhouse” and “I Am an Artist;” Henry Cole and Pamela Duncan Edwards, an illustrating and writing team whose works include “Dinorella: A Prehistoric Fairy Tale,” “Clara Caterpillar,” “Boston Tea Party” and “Ed and Fred Flea;” Children’s literature icon Steven Kellogg, an author and illustrator known for his Pinkerton series and books such as “Is Your Mama a Llama?,” “A-Hunting We Will Go” and “The Mysterious Tadpole;” Julie L. Mammano, author and illustrator of the series including “Rhinos Who Snowboard,” “Rhinos Who Skateboard” and “Rhinos Who Play Soccer;” and Nancy Tafuri, artist and author of books for very young children, such as “Where Did Bunny Go?,” “Across the Stream” and the Caldecott Honor book “Have You Seen My Duckling?”

Space is limited to 300 participants. The basic registration fee is $95, which is waived for those taking the institute for undergraduate or graduate credit. One or two hours of graduate credit are available for $367 per hour, while one or two hours of undergraduate credit are available for $440 per hour. Dinner on Friday evening is available for an additional cost of $25.

To register, call Ben Sapp at 419-434-4560 or e-mail sapp@findlay.edu.

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 2,400 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.

The University of Findlay is a comprehensive university located in Findlay, Ohio, about 45 miles south of Toledo. With a total enrollment of more than 4,600 full-time and part-time students, The University of Findlay is noted for its innovative, career-oriented programs in more than 60 majors and eight master’s degrees. For more information, visit www.findlay.edu.