The University of Findlay - Mazza Summer Institute Features 12 Visiting Artists

Approximately 300 people are participating in the 2006 Mazza Summer Institute at The University of Findlay. Twelve nationally and internationally known children’s book artists will be featured presenters. Participants will study original art from picture books, attend sessions highlighting practical methods of using picture books with children and receive focused tours in the Mazza Museum.

Mary Newell DePalma signs a book
for an institute attendee.

The week-long institute kicked off July 17 with visits from children’s book artists Denise Fleming, Mary Newell DePalma and David Weitzman. Fleming uses pulp art to create books for the young reader; her works include “Time to Sleep,” “In the Tall, Tall Grass” and “Count!” for which she received the Caldecott Honor. From Boston, DePalma has many books to her credit including “My Chair,” “The Strange Egg” and “Now it is Winter.” Weitzman has created books for children such as “Old Ironsides,” “Great Live Theater” and “Model T: How Henry Ford Built a Legend.”

Christopher and Jeanette Canyon of Columbus, Ohio, will be featured at the institute. He has adapted and illustrated several of John Denver’s songs as children’s picture books and continues to work on that project. She constructs her art entirely from polymer clay, creating fun, colorful art for children.

Other artists visiting during the week include Bryan Collier, Karen Hillard Good, Loren Long, Mark Kimball Moulton, Roxie Munro, Grennady Spirin,
Jane Breskin Zalben and Steve Zalben.

The Mazza Museum received several donations from area businesses to help defray the cost of bringing award-winning artists to Findlay. Findlay Inn and Conference Center donated $2,500 to assist with transportation costs of each artist, and LaRiche Chevrolet-Cadillac donated the use of a van to shuttle visiting artists to and from the University. In addition, Mother Hubbard’s Learning Cupboard donated gift certificates and door prizes to be given away to participants.

Participation in the Mazza Summer Institute is open to anyone and may count toward undergraduate or graduate credit. For information on attending next summer’s institute, contact Benjamin Sapp, deputy director, at 419-434-5343.

Located on The University of Findlay campus, 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 contains more than 3,000 pieces of original artwork.