The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Announces 7th Annual Carle Honors Honorees.
July 13, 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sandy Soderberg
Sandys@carlemuseum.org
413-658-1105
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art Announces Carle Honors Honorees
Seventh annual awards celebrate the individuals and organizations that bring creative vision and long-term dedication to the world of picture books
Amherst, Mass. (July 10, 2012) — The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is pleased to announce the 2012 Carle Honors honorees. This year’s distinguished luminaries will be feted at New York City’s Guastavino’s on Thursday, September 20, 2012. The event will be hosted by Museum co-founders Eric and Barbara Carle and this year’s co-chairs,Norton and Jeanne Juster and Jules Feiffer and Kate Feiffer, and include exciting guests such as Natalie Merchant and Elmo.
The exceptional lineup includes the following honorees:
Artist: Lane Smith, the author and artist who received a 2012 Caldecott Honor for his book, Grandpa Green.
Lane Smith will be introduced by children’s literature expert Anita Silvey.
Angel: Kent L. Brown Jr., executive director of the Highlights Foundation and editor-in-chief emeritus ofHighlights for Children, Inc.
Kent Brown will be introduced by artist Floyd Cooper.
Mentor: Frances Foster, the editor of Frances Foster Books, an imprint of Farrar Straus and Giroux.
Frances Foster will be introduced by artist Barbara McClintock and musician Natalie Merchant.
Bridge: Christopher Cerf, Sesame Street contributor and co-creator of the PBS series Between The Lions.
Christopher Cerf will be introduced by artist Mo Willems and special guest Elmo.
“These honorees are giants on their own, but taken together they represent the sweeping scope and impact of picture books — books that bring such meaning to young children every day,” says Alexandra Kennedy, executive director of The Carle.
The Carle Honors celebrates individuals and organizations that bring creative vision and long-term dedication to picture books and the many ways they open children’s minds to art and literacy. The awards are selected each year by a committee chaired by children’s literature historian and critic Leonard S. Marcus, who was central to the founding of the Honors. The committee recognizes four distinct awards: Artist, for lifelong innovation in the field; Angel, whose generous financial support is crucial to making picture book art exhibitions, education programs, and related projects a reality; Mentor, editors, designers, and educators who champion the art form; and Bridge, individuals who have found inspired ways to bring the art of the picture book to larger audiences through work in other fields.
The Carle Honors also features a silent art auction with original works of art donated by over a dozen of the industry’s most celebrated artists. This year’s artists are: Eric Carle, Floyd Cooper, Lucy Cousins, Tony DiTerlizzi, Boris Kulikov, Barbara McClintock, Kadir Nelson, Sergio Ruzzier, Peter Sis, Lane Smith, David Ezra Stein, Gabi Swiatkowska, Chris Van Allsburg, Mo Willems, Paul Zelinsky, and Lisbeth Zwerger. The art will be available on display in the weeks leading up to the event online and at Books of Wonder, 18 West 18th Street, New York City.
Tickets for The Carle Honors can be bought individually or in blocks. Sponsorships include name and logo placement, media listings, and additional benefits. Educators have the opportunity to receive sponsored tickets. The majority of each ticket is tax deductible.
For more information, tickets or sponsorship opportunities, contact Rebecca Miller Goggins, Director of Development: Rebeccag@carlemuseum.org; 413-658-1118 or online at www.carlemuseum.org/
About The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art:
The mission for The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, a non-profit organization in Amherst, MA, is to inspire a love of art and reading in young children. The only full-scale museum of its kind in the United States, The Carle collects, preserves, presents, and celebrates picture books and picture book illustrations from around the world. In addition to underscoring the cultural, historical, and artistic significance of picture books and their art form, The Carle offers educational programs that provide a foundation for arts integration and literacy.
Eric and Barbara Carle founded the Museum in November 2002. Eric Carle is the renowned author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Since opening, the 40,000-foot facility has served more than half a million visitors, including 30,000 schoolchildren. Its extensive resources include a collection of more than 10,000 picture book illustrations, three art galleries, an art studio, a theater, picture book and scholarly libraries, and educational programs for families, scholars, educators, and schoolchildren. Educational offerings include professional training for educators around the country. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 12 noon to 5 p.m. with special extended summer hours. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children under 18, and $22.50 for a family of four. For further information and directions, call 413-658-1100 or visit the Museum’s website at www.carlemuseum.org.
For media inquiries, additional press information and/or images, please contact Sandy Soderberg at Sandys@carlemuseum.org or 413-658-1105.
Butterfly from The Very Hungry Caterpillar copyright 1969 and 1987 by Eric Carle.