Findlay, Ohio – Six noted artists and authors of children’s picture books will serve as keynote speakers for The University of Findlay Mazza Museum’s 2005 Mazza Weekend Institute Nov. 11-12.

With the theme “Windows on the World,” the institute will also include autograph sessions and the Mazza Celebrity Art Auction.

The institute provides undergraduate and graduate credit predominantly for teachers and school librarians.

The keynote speakers are:

• Ashley Bryan is an award-winning children’s book artist storyteller and performer.  She is the illustrator or author of more than 30 books.  “Beat the Story Drum, Pum-Pum,” won the Coretta Scott King award. In 1990, Byran received the Arbuthnot Prize, one of the highest honors in children’s literature.
• Mordicai Gerstein worked in New York City for 25 years making animated films for television.  In 1971, he collaborated with Elizabeth Levy to create the “Something Queer is Going On” series of mystery books.  In 2004, he was awarded the Caldecott Medal for “The Man Who Walked Between the Towers.”
• Steve Harpster is an Ohio artist who has many children’s books to his credit, including “Silly Animal Mix-Ups,” “Wacky Jones,” “Zany Tongue Twisters,” “Mighty Machines,” “Arnold Gets Angry” and “Giggle Fit.”
• Patricia Polacco uses the stories she learned from her Russian and Ukrainian family as inspiration for the tales she tells and illustrates in her books.  Her works include “Rechenka’s Eggs,” “Thunder Cakes,” “Ukrainian Easter Eggs,” “Chicken Sunday” and “Aunt Chip and the Great Triple Creek Dam Affair.”
• Chuck Richards is a professor of art and design at Iowa State University and has spent more than 20 years teaching at art schools and universities.  His first book, “Jungle Gym Jitters,” became a phenomenon in the children’s literature world due to the unusual story and incredible art.  His second book, “Author Day for Room 3T,” was just released.
• Janet Stevens has illustrated and/or written many books for children including “The Tortise and the Hare,” “The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse,” “Plaidypus Lost” and “Why Epossumonda Has No Hair on His Tail.”  In 1996 she was awarded a Caldecott Honor for her unique book “Tops and Bottoms.”

Located in the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion on the UF campus, the Mazza Museum is raising $2.2 million for an 11,000-square-foot addition to the museum. 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, from noon to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m.

For more information, contact the Museum at 419-434-5221.