Mazza Museum Sends “Page Turners” to Columbus Museum of Art
This summer The University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum sends an exhibit to the Columbus Museum of Art, exposing audiences outside Findlay to their collection of over 9,000 original illustrations. The exhibit, “Page Turners: The Art of Award-Winning Picture books from the Mazza Museum,” featuring 32 works from Mazza’s collection, will showcase the art of award winning picture books, delighting visitors of all ages.
“This summer’s exhibit at the Columbus Museum of Art represents a continuing partnership that will bring original artwork from picture books to audiences in the Columbus area in future years from not only the Mazza Museum but other museums of art from picture books around the world,” said Benjamin E. Sapp, director of the Mazza Museum.
On view May 15 through September 6, 2015, “Page Turners” brings together original art from the Mazza Museum, dating from the 1950s to the present. The books and the art inside have been honored with prestigious awards and medals from many organizations in the United States, Great Britain and Denmark including the American Library Association, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery, Pura Belpré and the Mazza Museum. Depicting historical events and figures, the art includes folktales from India, Japan, Kenya, and the United States that often have important messages about human nature, and songs, poems and stories that inspire and entertain. Several books are recipients of awards honoring African-American and Latino/Latina authors and illustrators who have created outstanding books for children.
The artwork at Mazza reflects a variety of media, techniques, and styles that combine with the author’s words to create picture books that children and adults treasure long after the last page is turned. Picture books encourage children to increase their reading and vocabulary skills, stimulate critical and imaginative thinking, support inter-generational and peer socialization, and develop an awareness and love of art.
“Alumni and friends of the University who have heard about the museum and haven’t been back to campus will have the opportunity to see how these illustrations make books come alive and perhaps be inspired to see more,” said Sapp.