June 9, 2005, Findlay, Ohio – Fifteen noted artists and authors of children’s picture books will serve as keynote speakers for The University of Findlay Mazza Museum’s 2005 Mazza Summer Institute June 20-24.
With the theme “Windows on the World,” the institute will include as many as four keynote addresses, pull-out sessions, breakfast, lunch and autographing sessions each day.
The institute, which is held annually, provides undergraduate and graduate credit predominantly for teachers and school librarians. This year more than 200 participants from 32 states will come to hear the entertaining and educational tales told by prominent children’s book illustrators.
The keynote speakers are:
Clare Beaton – This London artist/author worked for the British Broadcasting Company for eight years as an artist for children’s television programs. She is 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. The real Carl is a trained therapy dog that visits children’s hospitals.
Diane deGroat – With more than 100 children’s books to her credit, some of her most popular books are “Trick or Treat, Smell My Feet” and the “Lola” book series.
Susan Jeffers – Winner of a Caldecott Honor for “The Three Jovial Huntsmen,” this artist/author also has written “Hiawatha” and “Brother Eagle, Sister Sky.”
David Katz and Judy Cohen – This husband and wife team create the children’s books series “You Can Be a Woman…” which encourages girls to pursue careers in science and math.
Leonard Marcus– His highly acclaimed books include “Margaret Wise Brown: Awakened by the Moon” and “Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom.”
Deborah Kogan Ray – The latest works by this author of eight books and illustrator of more than 60 children’s books includes “Lily’s Garden” and “The Flower Hunter: William Bartram, America’s First Naturalist.”
Eric Rohmann – His first picture book, “Time Flies,” was named a 1995 Caldecott Honor Book. In 2003 he received the Caldecott Medal for “My Friend Rabbit.”
Anita Silvey – This critically acclaimed author and speaker was the editor of “Horn Book Magazine” before writing 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,” “Silver Packages” and “The Last Dragon.”
Eric Velasquez – This Harlem, New York City native, says he always knew he was going to be an illustrator. His books include “Later Gator” and “Front Porch Stories at the One-Room School.”
Rosemary Wells – This artist/author of the popular “Max” and “Ruby” books began drawing when she was only two-years-old. Her books include “Noisy Nora,” “Yoko” and “Bunny Cakes.”
Yin – This author was exposed to her Chinese heritage growing up in New York City. 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.
