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The de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at The University of Southern Mississippi will feature more than 150 original works by award-winning illustrator, Wendell Minor, at an exhibit from March 1 through May 15 at Oddfellows Gallery in downtown Hattiesburg. These pieces are part of a traveling exhibit organized by Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, Massachusetts. The exhibition opening and reception will take place March 2 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. and the public is invited to attend.
Minor is a longtime friend of the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection and the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival. The de Grummond Collection holds Minor’s illustrations of the award-winning book Trapped! A Whale’s Rescue. In 2013, he attended the festival as a speaker and is returning for the 50th Children’s Book Festival with his wife, Florence, where they will present together on Thursday, April 6.
“I believe children’s books to be the highest form of creative expression for artists and writers. It is a noble cause to inspire children through words and pictures,” Minor said. “Many thanks to the de Grummond Collection and the Fay B. Kaigler Book Festival for 50 years of excellence in preserving the best in children’s literature.”
Wendell Minor’s America: 25 Year of Children’s Book Art traces the personal and artistic journey of the acclaimed book illustrator and admirer of Norman Rockwell, through original artwork, artifacts, and references from Minor’s expansive visual chronicles, as well as commentary about his collaborations with our nation’s most prominent authors, scientists, and historians; highlights include original work from such books as Reaching for the Moon and Look to the Stars by Buzz Aldrin; Sitting Bull Remembers by Ann Turner; Abraham Lincoln Comes Home by Robert Burleigh; Arctic Son by Jean Craighead George; Shane by Jack Schaefer; and America the Beautiful by Katharine Lee Bates.
“Wendell Minor’s America is a world-class exhibit. Most people are familiar with Wendell’s work and don’t even realize it. He has created cover art for many award-winning authors and the current paperback cover of To Kill A Mockingbird,” said Ellen Ruffin, curator of the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection. “The exhibit will include those along with the original art for many of his children’s books. Wendell’s collaborations are legendary, having worked with Buzz Aldrin, Mary Higgins Clark, and many others.
“Perhaps his most important collaboration has been with Florence, his wife. They are an incredible couple, and this exhibit will have something for everyone—no matter the interests. We are thrilled to have this exhibit and look forward to sharing this important work with our community.”
Minor is nationally known for the artwork he has created for more than 50 award-winning children’s books. His many collaborators include Jean Craighead George, Robert Burleigh, Buzz Aldrin, Tony Johnston, Mary Higgins Clark, and last but not least, his wife Florence. In 2009 Wendell and Florence’s If You Were a Penguin, was chosen by Pennsylvania for its “One Book, Every Young Child” 2009 early literacy program, and the couple enjoyed the month they spent speaking to children in Pennsylvania’s libraries, schools, Head Start facilities, and Museums.
Minor is also the cover artist and designer of more than 2,000 books for authors Pat Conroy, David McCullough, Fannie Flagg, Nathaniel Philbrick and many others. His portrait of Truman for the cover of David McCullough’s book is in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.
New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award winner, Nathaniel Philbrick, will offer remarks during a special event Thursday, March 23 at Oddfellows Gallery. Minor illustrated Ben’s Revolution: Benjamin Russell and the Battle of Bunker Hill and Revenge of the Whale: The True Story of the Whaleship Essex for Philbrick. In 2000, Philbrick published the New York Times bestseller In the Heart of the Sea, which won the National Book Award for nonfiction. The book was the basis of the 2015 movie of the same title directed by Ron Howard and inspired a 2001 Dateline special on NBC as well as the 2010 PBS American Experience film “Into the Deep” by Ric Burns. Since then, he has published numerous New York Times bestselling historical, non-fiction works.
The public is invited to attend a reception celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival. Wendell Minor will be in attendance and offer remarks during the reception. Teachers and librarians are invited to attend the Educators’ Seminar Professional Development on Friday, April 21 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Author and photo-illustrator, Sarah Campbell, will lead the one-day seminar.
Wendell Minor’s America will take visitors on a journey through history, from sea to shining sea, reflecting on the artist’s love of our country’s varied landscape and a deep respect for the environment. For more information about the exhibit and events, contact the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at 601.266.4349 or visit www.lib.usm.edu/wendellminor.
