June 24, 2005, Findlay, Ohio – Stories of life experiences, inspirations and responding to critics’ reviews abounded during The University of Findlay’s 2005 Mazza Summer Institute. The institute was held June 20-24.
The annual event is organized the Mazza Museum of International Art from Children’s Picture Books at UF, and provides undergraduate and graduate credit predominantly for teachers and school librarians. This year more than 200 participants from 32 states came to hear the entertaining and educational tales told by prominent children’s book illustrators.
Fifteen noted artists and authors of children’s picture books from all over the country and Europe served as keynote speakers for the event. Deborah Kogan Ray, a Philadelphia-based author and illustrator, said that one of most satisfying parts of her craft is learning about her subject. “Doing research and learning about a different time and place is a delicious pleasure. Ray explained during her keynote address. “Each book that I write and illustrate in a great adventure for me.” Ray is the author of eight books and has illustrated more than 60 books for children. Her most recent work includes “The Flower Hunter: William Bartram, America’s First Naturalist.”
The institute’s other presenters included:
Clare Beaton - The author of nearly 50 books including “One Moose” and “Twenty Mice.”
Alexandra Day – Her many books include the popular “Carl” series, about a rottweiler dog.
Diane deGroat – With more than 100 children’s books to her credit, some of her most popular books include the “Lola” book series.
Susan Jeffers – Winner of a Caldecott Honor for “The Three Jovial Huntsmen,” and the artist/author of “Hiawatha” and “Brother Eagle, Sister Sky.”
David Katz and Judy Cohen – The creators of the children’s books series “You Can Be a Woman…”
Leonard Marcus– His highly acclaimed books include “Margaret Wise Brown: Awakened by the Moon” and “Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom.”
Eric Rohmann – His first picture book, “Time Flies,” was named a 1995 Caldecott Honor Book.
Anita Silvey – The author of the immensely popular and authoritative “100 Best Books for Children.”
Chris Soentpiet – This Korean-born artist has illustrated the books “So Far From the Sea” and “The Last Dragon.”
Eric Velasquez – The author of “Later Gator” and “Front Porch Stories at the One-Room School.”
Rosemary Wells – This artist/author of the popular “Max” and “Ruby” books.
Yin – Her book “Coolies” has received numerous awards including the Parents’ Choice Award for Best Picture Book and the International Reading Association’s Book Award.
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 3,300 pieces of original artwork and conducts extensive educational programs to promote literacy and a lifelong appreciation of literature and the arts. More than 6,000 individuals visit the Museum each year.
Located in the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion on the UF campus, the Mazza Museum is raising funds for a $2.2 million campaign to expand the building by more than 11,000 square feet. The addition will provide more space for educational programs and for the preservation and protection of its artworks. Completion of the addition is scheduled for 2007.
The museum is open Wednesday – Friday, noon to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.
For more information, contact the Museum at 419-434-5521.
