The University of Findlay - Mazza Museum to Host Annual Celebration Featuring Frankenhuyzen

The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum of International Art from Picture Books will hold its 24th annual Mazza Museum Celebration featuring illustrator Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, in the Alumni Memorial Union. The event is held each year to show appreciation for the museum’s donors. All members of the community and surrounding areas are invited to attend.

Frankenhuyzen, who came to the United States from the Netherlands in 1976, illustrated his first children’s book, “The Legend of Sleeping Bear,” in 1995. Since then, he has continued to illustrate books including his most recent works “Challenger, America’s Favorite Eagle” by Margo Theis Raven, “Kelly of Hazel Ridge” by Robbyn Smith, his wife, and “The Legend of Michigan” by Trinka Hakes Noble.

In addition to illustrating children’s books, Frankenhuyzen is an accomplished muralist, having done work for Schuler Books and Music, Michigan State University Historical Museum, Cheboygan Historical Museum and numerous others. He has painted five educational habitat posters for Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources and is well known for his wildlife paintings. Frankenhuyzen worked for 17 years as art director and illustrator for Michigan Natural Resources magazine before he decided to fulfill his dream of illustrating children’s books.

The artist resides with his family in Bath, Mich., on a 40-acre farm from which Frankenhuyzen draws much of his inspiration. A variety of animals, including sheep, horses, turkeys, rabbits and other miscellaneous orphaned and injured wildlife have called the farm home and spurred the creation of Frankenhuyzen’s Hazel Ridge series. The books are true farm and animal tales based on 20 years of wildlife rehabilitation.

Tickets for the celebration are $5 per person. To register, send your name, address, phone number and the number of people attending along with your check, made payable to Mazza Museum, to The University of Findlay, Mazza Museum, 1000 N. Main St., Findlay, Ohio, 45840. Mail-in registrations will be accepted through Sept. 20. Tickets also will be available at the door on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tickets ordered by mail will be held at the door for pick-up or may be picked up before the event at the Mazza Museum office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Attendees needing special accommodations or adaptive formats due to a disability should contact the University Office of Disability Services at 419-422-8313, extension 5536.