Creatures Run, Fly and Crawl Through the OAC's Riffe Gallery

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Creatures Run, Fly and Crawl Through the OAC's Riffe Gallery
by Shane Cartmill

Cecil Aldin, from artist's portfolio, 1898, watercolor A Carnival of Animals: Beasts, Birds and Bugs in Original Illustrations from Children’s Books will be on view at the Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery January 29 through April 18, 2004. The exhibition includes 80 works by artists from the United States and abroad. An opening reception and Family Day will be held on Sunday, February 1, 2004, from 2-4 p.m. Free tours, art activities and light refreshments will be offered. The event is free and open to the public.

Drawn from the historic Mazza Collection at the University of Findlay (Ohio), A Carnival of Animals invites viewers to explore art in children's literature and helps to deepen their understanding of the process by which original art becomes part of a printed book. Viewers will be greeted by the sometimes whimsical, sometimes dramatic and always tender portrayals of the animal world. The exhibition also aims to remind visitors of all ages of the profound connections between humans and animals and the importance of safeguarding the world’s precious natural resources.

A Carnival of Animals includes works by artists famous for their contributions to children’s literature, as well as seldom seen historical artworks and representations by illustrators from other countries. Randolph J. Caldecott, the 19th century illustrator for whom the Caldecott Medal is named, is included in this unique exhibition, as are three-time Caldecott Medal winner Marcia Brown and Columbus resident Christopher Canyon. More than 70 other artists are featured in the exhibition which concludes its 18-city tour at the Riffe Gallery.

The Riffe Gallery will offer free tours and art activities Tuesday through Friday throughout the run of the exhibition. To schedule a tour for groups of up to 65 school children contact Riffe Gallery Director, Mary Gray via email or at 614/728-2239.

Three events will be held in conjunction with this exhibition; all are free and open to the public:

On Sunday, February 1, 2004, from 2 – 4 p.m., the Riffe Gallery will host a Public Opening Reception and Family Day for A Carnival of Animals. Celebrate children’s book illustrations and literature with an afternoon of tours, art activities and light refreshments.

A Family Day with Columbus artist and educator Chris Hutchins will take place Sunday, February 29, 2004, from 2 – 4 p.m. Children and their adult companions will explore the fun and diverse illustrations of A Carnival of Animals and practice the art of illustrating a story. After gathering inspiration, children will write and illustrate a story based on one of the books featured in the exhibition. Materials and refreshments will be provided.

Ohio native and award-winning illustrator Christopher Canyon will lead Family Day activities Sunday, March 28, 2004 at 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. Join the artist as he interprets one of John Denver’s best-loved tunes, Sunshine On My Shoulders, through illustration and song. Children and their adult companions are invited to celebrate sunshine, pure joy and messages of friendship through Canyon’s adaptation.

A Carnival of Animals is sponsored by Time Warner Cable. The exhibition is organized by The University of Findlay’s Mazza Collection and the Meridian International Center, Washington, D.C. The Riffe Gallery is supported by Ohio Building Authority. Media sponsors include Alive and Ohio Magazine.

The Riffe Gallery, operated by the Ohio Arts Council, showcases the work of Ohio's artists and curators, exhibitions produced by the Ohio Arts Council’s International Program and the collections of the region’s museums and galleries. The Riffe Gallery’s Education Program seeks to increase public appreciation and understanding of those exhibitions. The gallery is in the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, State and High Streets, Columbus, OH. Gallery hours are Tuesday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Saturday 12-8 p.m. and Sunday 12-4 p.m. Closed Monday. The Riffe Gallery will offer extended hours, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., for First Night Columbus. Admission is free. Please visit us on the web at www.riffegallery.org. For information or to schedule a tour, call the Riffe Gallery at 614/644-9624.

The Ohio Arts Council is a state agency that funds and supports quality arts experiences to strengthen Ohio communities culturally, educationally and economically.

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