PITTSFIELD, MA.- Berkshire Museum announces The Art of Storytelling: Celebrating Illustration and Literature, three exhibitions celebrating the history and wonder of children’s books and the artwork that complements them.
The featured exhibitions are:
Storyland: A Trip through Childhood Favorites – transforms picture book illustrations into three- dimensional play and learning environments highlighting the six major literacy development areas: print motivation, print awareness, letter knowledge, sound awareness, vocabulary, and narrative skills and comprehension.
Childhood Classics – 100 Years of Illustration from the Art Kandy Collection – features over 140 original works included from over 75 books. The exhibition explores the history of children’s books from the turn of the century pen and ink Mother Goose art of Sarah Noble Ives to the most popular works of today including the digital creations of Mo Willems. The exhibition features the original art of Dr. Seuss, the iconic Wild Things of Maurice Sendak, and the perennial heroism of Garth Williams’ Stuart Little.
The work of author Ty Allan Jackson – Ty Allan Jackson received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams, MA for his work as an author and community leader. He is an award-winning children’s book author, literacy advocate, and captivating motivational speaker. The exhibition highlights how Jackson began his career, how he developed his literature, and what motivates his work, both on the page and in the community promoting childhood literacy. A former long-time resident of Pittsfield, Jackson began his career as an author in 2009 with his book “Danny Dollar Millionaire Extraordinaire-The Lemonade Escapade” while working as a sales representative for Allied Waste.
"Childhood Classics was curated and organized by Lee Cohen and Lois Sarkisian in association with Landau Traveling Exhibitions. Exhibition Tour Management by Landau Traveling Exhibitions."
The exhibitions will open Saturday, February 4 with a celebration from 10 am to 12 pm offering educator-led arts and crafts activities all about collage, the art form featured in children’s books by Ezra Jack Keats, Eric Carle, Melissa Sweet, and more. Best enjoyed by ages 3 to 12 with caregivers. Treats will be served.
The museum will host a Night Out at the Museum on Saturday, March 4 from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Guests can re-discover childhood wonder through the Art of Storytelling exhibitions, and enjoy drinks and hors d'oeuvres, along with a themed scavenger hunt.
Ty Allan Jackson will be at the museum Saturday, March 18 at 11 am. Jackson will speak with young visitors and families about his Superdupa Kid books. At 2pm, Jackson, along with museum educators, will present an interactive program about entrepreneurship and financial literacy for kids, tied to his celebrated Danny Dollar books.
