STONY CREEK, CT — Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library's Keyes Gallery will be a temporary home to an exhibit of children's book illustrations, curated by Stony Creek resident and award-winning children's book author Sara Levine.
Viewers can expect to see Caldecott award-winning pieces and will be sure to recognize images from such books as Olivia, Where the Wild Things Are, and the Paddington Bear series. An original Eric Carle illustration that did not make it into a book will also be on display.
Additionally, there will be illustrations from more recently published books for visitors to discover. Accompanying the art on the walls will be copies of each book that is featured in the exhibit so that visitors may re-read old favorites or perhaps explore new ones, all while seeing the artwork first-hand. Most of the pieces will be for sale.
"When I first moved back to Stony Creek and joined the Art Committee (part of the Friends of the Library), I was wondering about how I could best contribute to the community," Levine said. "One idea was to curate this show, which combines my interest and love of children's picture books and art."
This is the first time a show of its kind will be part of the library's art exhibits, with work from the following artists on display, loaned from either the artists themselves or from R. Michelson Galleries of Northampton, MA.
The show opens Friday, Oct. 9, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 1, viewable during library hours, including every Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
An opening reception will be held on Saturday, Oct. 17, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., with some of the featured picture book illustrators and authors in attendance. Books will be available for sale and signing via Breakwater Books of Guilford. All are invited.
"It is exciting to have such unique pieces of art, of history really, on loan here at the library," library director Jennifer Sullivan said. "Almost everyone who visits the exhibit will have a connection to at least one of these pieces—whether from their own childhoods, reading to the children in their lives, or in their careers in bookstores, libraries, and schools. We are also grateful to have patrons like Sara who coordinated this show on behalf of the library, bringing works that may not otherwise have been easily seen by our community and the surrounding area."
In addition to curating this show, Levine, who is also an educator, will be offering two sessions of a workshop designed to introduce local children to the art of writing and illustrating picture books. Interested schools or groups can contact her at https://www.saralevinebooks.com/ to sign up.
About the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library
The Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library (WWML) is a public library located in the village of Stony Creek in Branford. Named after its benefactor, who left the town of Branford the funds to build a library in his will, the library opened in 1958. WWML provides a welcoming space in the heart of the community, offering a wide range of materials and programs for all ages to promote reading, lifelong learning, creativity, cultural experiences, and fun.
The Keyes Gallery is an exhibition space within the library dedicated to providing enrichment, education, and cultural enjoyment to the local community as well as visitors from far and wide. Rotating exhibits, planned by the Art Committee (part of the Friends of the Willoughby Wallace Memorial Library), fill the space with light, color, and shape. The Gallery is named for Stony Creek resident Morgan Keyes, who donated funds to the 2002 renovation project. Learn more at www.wwml.org
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