More than 75 images from the Mazza Collection, the world’s largest collection specializing in art from children’s books, will be on display at the Ohio Arts Council’s Riffe Gallery November 8, 1997, through January 10, 1998. Visitors to Once Upon A Page: Children’s Book Illustrations from the Mazza Collection will take a nostalgic trip back to the amazement and wonder of childhood through a selection of work by the world’s most distinguished children’s book illustrators.

A free public reception will be held on Saturday, November 8, 1-4 p.m. Families are welcome.

The collection was established by Dr. August C. Mazza and his late wife, Aleda Pfost Mazza, as part of the University of Findlay’s centennial celebration in 1982. The collection teaches children and adults about the fine art work that goes into the production of children’s books and the ways illustrations extend the meaning of a story. Images in the collection illustrate the wit and whimsy of a child’s imaginative world. The color, creativity and detail of the award-winning, original work will delight visitors of all ages.

The Mazza Collection initially contained four works valued at $1,700. Now it contains more than 700 works. All work was donated or purchased with donated funds. The collection represents great diversity in art styles and media and contains only the highest quality book art. Every work is chosen to raise appreciation of children’s art and to help people select books based not on popularity, but on well-recognized excellence. Art styles include representational, impressionism, expressionism, folk and surrealism. Artists represented are recognized for the quality of their work; many have won the coveted Caldecott, Kate Greenaway, Newbery and Golden Kite awards.

Children who visit Once Upon a Page will receive information about the artists and their books so they can better understand how illustrations extend and expand the meanings of the text. As a result, their reading experiences are enriched and their understanding of art is enhanced.

Media sponsors for Once Upon A Page include Curiocity Columbus, WTTE-TV, Small Business News and Time Warner Communications.

The Riffe Gallery, operated by the Ohio Arts Council, showcases the work of Ohio’s artists and the collections of the state’s museums and galleries. The gallery is in the Vern Riffe Center for Government and the Arts, State and High Streets, Columbus, OH. Hours are Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday and Friday 11a.m.-7:30 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 12-4 p.m. Admission is free. For information or to schedule a tour call the Riffe Gallery at 614/644-9624.

The Ohio Arts Council, a state agency established in 1965, builds the state through the arts—economically, educationally and culturally—preserving the past, enhancing the present and enriching the future for all Ohioans. The Council believes the arts should be shared by the people of Ohio. The arts arise from public, individual and organizational efforts. The OAC supports and encourages those efforts.
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