Findlay, Ohio – The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum of International Art from Children’s Picture Books will begin construction of an 8,000-square-foot addition within a few months.  A recent gift of $1 million from Findlay residents Michael and Robin Gardner has enabled the campaign for the Mazza Museum addition to exceed its $2.2 million goal.

Dr. Jerry Mallett, founder and director of the Mazza Museum said, “We are most grateful for the generosity of Robin and Michael Gardner.  Their gift puts us ‘over the top’ in our fund-raising campaign.  Their gift, and the gifts of other generous donors, will enable construction to begin in the spring for the much needed addition to the Mazza Museum."


Mr. Michael J. and Mrs. Robin Gardner

"This addition will be a great benefit for promoting literacy and lifelong appreciation of art in Findlay and the surrounding area," Mallett said.

“The Gardner family generously contributed to the Virginia B. Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion in which the Mazza Museum is located.  Robin Gardner is a member of the National Advisory Board,” Dr. Mallett said. Michael Gardner is the owner of Superior Trim which operates factories in Findlay, Ohio, and Old Hickory, Tenn.

The addition will enable the Mazza Museum to expand its educational programs and to conserve its valuable artworks, which number more than 3,000.  It will provide additional space for a classroom, children’s art studio, art resource library, storage vault, preservation and restoration center, and a gift gallery.

The expanded Mazza Museum is expected to increase the number of individuals who visit the Mazza Museum, which already is one of Hancock County’s greatest attractions of people from outside of the area.
The Mazza addition fund-raising campaign, which was announced in February 2004, reached its goal of securing the necessary funds so construction can be completed in time for the 25th anniversary of the Mazza Museum in 2007. 

Construction is expected to take approximately a year.  All current functions of the museum will continue during the construction period.
The Mazza Museum International Art from Picture Books is the world's first and largest teaching museum devoted to literacy and the art of children's picture books.

Founded in 1982, the Mazza Museum now contains more than 3,000 pieces of original artwork. The mission of the Mazza Museum is to promote literacy by providing educational programs for children and adults by utilizing its preeminent collection of original art from children's picture books.

To visit the Mazza Museum's website click here.