Findlay, Ohio, May 2, 2005 – Children’s book artist and author Arthur Geisert will be the featured speaker at the 23rd Annual Mazza Museum Celebration on Thursday, May 5 at 7:30 p.m. in the Winebrenner Theological Seminary auditorium.

Specializing in etching, Geisert is the author and illustrator of “Oink,” “Aesop & Company,” Pa’s Balloon and other Pig Tales” and “Pigs from 1 to 10.” His book, “Pigs from A to Z,” was selected as one of the 10 best illustrated children's books of 1986 by the New York Times.

His artwork has been exhibited in a number of shows, including exhibits at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of American Art in Washington, D.C., the Society of Graphic Artists in New York, and at the Boston Printmakers Members' Exhibit. He holds degrees in art from Concordia College in Seward, Neb., and the University of California at Davis.

The public is invited to attend the museum event. Admission is $3.

The Mazza Museum of International Art from Children’s Picture Books at The University of Findlay 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 2,800 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.