LEWISTON —Children’s book illustrations by 13 Maine artists will be on display at the Atrium Art Gallery at the University of Southern Maine’s Lewiston-Auburn College, with a reception on Friday, June 17.
“Tell Me a Story: Folktales and World Cultures” features illustrations from more than 30 books representing a variety of cultures, from traditional folktales to others based on true stories. Among them are books about Uganda, Russia, Thailand, Paris, Korea, Ireland, Bangladesh, Japan, Jamaica, Romania, Ethiopia, Spain, Pacific Northwest and Passamaquoddy Native Americans.
Internationally known artist Ashley Bryan has many illustrations from his award-winning books on African folktales in the exhibit. There is also a selection of his puppets made from materials he finds near his home on Islesford. The exhibition features a video of Bryan.
Other artists with works in “Tell Me a Story” are Holly Berry, Aileen Darragh, Jamie Hogan, Wendy Kindred, Holly Meade, Leane Morin, Anne Sibley O’Brien, Mary Beth Owens, Rebekah Raye, Robert Shetterly, Helen Stevens and Melissa Sweet.
In an exhibit essay about the changes in the world of children’s literature over the past 25 years, Audrey Maynard, children’s book editor for Tilbury House Publishers, wrote: “From the careful renditions of the birchbark artistry of Passamaquoddy baskets, to the use of Romanian folkloric patterns, to the replication of Iranian rug designs, these illustrators worked with diligence to produce beautiful art that is culturally sensitive, accurate, and non-stereotypic.”
“These are powerful stories that have been written to encourage young children to value the beauty and diversity of our world and to protect its handmade and distinctive qualities,” she continued. “In the best multi-cultural books, it is often the illustrations that will light the way for the reader to embark on a unique journey of discovery.”
Running concurrently with “Tell Me a Story” is “Taiwan Sublime,” a selection of photographs by Huang Ting-sheng, in the Hall Gallery. The exhibition is touring through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston. “Taiwan Sublime” also includes several Taiwanese puppets and traditional toys.
“Tell Me a Story” is held in partnership with the Lewiston and Auburn public libraries, whose summer reading program is titled “One World, Many Stories.” It will be up through through Aug. 12.
The June 17 reception will be from 6 to 8 p.m. It will feature a selection of Asian food, provided by Wei Li Restaurant in Auburn. Beverages will be provided by the Edward Little Music Association.
The Atrium, at 51 Westminster St., is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday. For more information, call 753-6500 or visit www.usm.maine.edu/lac/art.
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- This illustration by Aileen Darragh is from the children’s book “Give a Goat,” written by Jan Schrock.
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- This photograph by Huang Ting-sheng, titled “Demon Slayer,” is part of the “Taiwan Sublime: Folkways Melding the Mundane and the Celestial” exhibit at the Atrium Gallery in Lewiston. He has spent 20-plus years photographing festivals and rituals of the Taiwanese people, creating a pictorial archive of the many ways of connecting the earthly world with a spiritual one. Also featured in the exhibit are Taiwanese artifacts and puppets from the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston.
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- This illustratiion by Holly Berry appears in the children’s book “How Mama Brought the Spring,” written by Fran Manushkin.
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