“The Original Art” is an annual juried exhibit coordinated by the Society of Illustrators in New York to highlight the year’s best artwork created for children’s books. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to see how illustrators have interpreted stories through artwork, and a chance to compare the original pieces with the finished printed versions on the page.
Founded by illustrator and art director Dilys Evans, this exhibit is in its 32nd year. The travel show features 40 pieces from the original collection exhibited at the Society of illustrators in late 2014. Gold and silver medals are awarded to three pieces in the collection. The silver medals were awarded to Carson Ellis for “Wildwood Imperium” (HarperCollins Publishers/Balzer + Bray) and Gary Kelley for “Harlem Hellfighters” (The Creative Company/Creative Editions), while the gold medal went to Benjamin Chaud for “The Bear’s Song” (Chronicle Books).
Also on exhibit is this year’s Founder’s Award winner, Mike Curato’s book “Little Elliot, Big City.” Created in 2005, this award recognizes the most promising new talent in children’s book illustration.
The exhibition will be complemented by the first-ever exhibit of Virginia Beach artist Bob Morehead’s whimsical toothpick sculptures, along with a selection of illustrations by Norfolk artist Walt Taylor. Taylor’s editorial illustrations appear weekly in The Virginian-Pilot’s Opinion section and his work was featured in the book “The Art of Urban Sketching” by Gabriel Campanario.
In addition, PFAC is proud to showcase the best artwork created by area college and high school students in its annual spring juried exhibitions, Genesis (April 4-26) and Prefaces (May 2-31).
The Peninsula Fine Arts Center is located at 101 Museum Drive within Mariners’ Museum Park in Newport News, Va. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sundays; PFAC is closed on Mondays. Admission is regularly $7.50 for adults, $4 for children (ages 6-12) and free for children 5 and under. Annual membership is $40 for individuals and $60 for families. For more information, call (757) 596-8175 or visit www.pfac-va.org.
