Feb. 28, 2005, Findlay, Ohio – The Mazza Enthusiasts have donated $125,000 to The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum of International Art from Picture Books. The Mazza Enthusiasts are a group of more than 400 members throughout the country who help support the museum through financial contributions and volunteering their time to give tours of the museum, run the Gift Gallery and help with special events.

The gift, which was raised through profits generated by the Gift Gallery, is directed to the museum’s $2.2 million building addition campaign. The campaign is raising funds to expand the size of the museum to more than 11,000 square feet to increase the space available for educational programs and for the preservation and protection of its valuable artworks. The completion of the new addition is scheduled for 2007. The museum is located in the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion on the University’s campus.

The Mazza Enthusiasts’ gift will be used toward the construction of a new Gift Gallery, which will have more room to display items and will be more accessible to the public. The gallery sells books, plush toys and other items related to the artwork in the museum.

According to Ben Sapp, deputy director of the Mazza Museum, “The Mazza Museum is so appreciative of all the work the Mazza Enthusiasts do through their operation of the Mazza gift shop and also their generous donation toward the building addition,” Sapp said. “They are a vital part of the daily operations of what happens at the museum.”

“The Mazza Museum and Gift Gallery is an upbeat and positive place to spend time, whether working or visiting. We encourage anyone who has not visited the museum to come see this rare gem we have right here in Findlay, Ohio,” added Sandy Reinhardt, chairperson of the Mazza Enthusiast Board.

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 UF. Today, the museum contains more than 2,700 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 museum and Gift Gallery are open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

For more information, contact the museum at 419-434-4560 or visit the Web site at www.mazzamuseum.org.