Tuesday, April 09, 2013

PAINT ME A STORY: CELEBRATING CULTURE, READING & ART


The Richmond Public Library presents an exhibit of Latino children’s book illustration featuring the work of three award winning illustrators: John Parra, Lila Quintero Weaver and Joe Cepeda. 

Join us for an opening reception with local Latina children’s book author Meg Medina. 
Friday, April 26, 2013
4-6:00 pm 
Broad Rock Library
4820 Old Warwick Road
Free and open to the public

Paint Me A Story will be on display at Broad Rock through the weekend before moving to the Richmond Main Library, 101 East Franklin Street.  The exhibit will run May 3 – May 31 in the Children’s Department with an opening reception on Friday, May 3 from 6:30-9 pm.

In conjunction with the exhibit, mixed media artist and illustrator, Sarah Hand from the Visual Arts Center of Richmond will present two free youth art workshops in book making.  Saturday May 4, 2–4 pm and Thursday, May 16, 3:30 – 4:30 pm at the Main Library.  Call 804-646-7223 for details.

The exhibit and workshops honor El Día De los Niños/ El Día de los Libros (Children’s Day/Book Day) celebrated yearly on April 30.

  
Featured Illustrators:

Joe Cepeda is the illustrator of award-winning picture books such as What a Truly Cool World (Scholastic), Nappy Hair (Knopf), Mice and Beans (Scholastic) including The Swing (Arthur A. Levine Books), which he wrote as well as illustrated.  Mr. Cepeda has illustrated books written by numerous notable authors including Gary Soto, Pam Muñoz Ryan, Arnold Adoff, Monica Brown, Julius Lester and most recently, Toni Morrison.  He has also illustrated book jackets for many titles, including Esperanza Rising.  He was selected to illustrate the cover of Shaquille O’Neal and Reading is Fundamental’s Biggest Book in the World.  Mr. Cepeda received an ALA 2002 Pura Belpre’ Honor Award and the Recognition of Merit Award for 2000 from the George G. Stone Center for Children’s Books.  His work has been accepted to the Society of Illustrators shows in New York and Los Angeles. In addition to his illustrative work, Mr. Cepeda is sought after as a public speaker to schools and other groups. He is the current president of the Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles. 

John Parra is an award winning illustrator, fine artist, designer, and educator, best known for his art illustrated Latino themed children’s books such as Gracias / Thanks and Waiting for the Biblioburro.  For his books he has received numerous awards and honors including: The Golden Kite Award from The Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), The Pura Belpré Honor’s Award from The American Library Association / REFORMA, The International Latino Book Award: Best Interior Children's Book Illustrations from Latino Literary Now, and The Christopher’s Award from The Christopher’s Inc. organization. Parra’s original artwork has also been showcased and displayed in numerous gallery shows and museum exhibitions throughout the United States and South America. He has taught at the Carnegie Art Museum in Oxnard, CA and regularly speaks at schools and literary conferences across the country advocating art and reading education.

Lila Quintero Weaver is the author-illustrator of the graphic novel Darkroom: A Memoir in Black & White, published in 2012 by The University of Alabama Press. In Darkroom, Lila tells the story of her family’s 1961 immigration from Argentina to the racially torn American South.








Funding for the exhibit provided by Friends of the Richmond Public Library.

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