An opening reception for a new Akron Art Museum exhibit by artist Ed Emberley will feature drawing demonstrations, storytelling, music and other activities. (Photo: Todd Mazer.
Opening party Jan. 11 features storytelling, drawing demos, music
— An exhibit featuring artist and beloved picture book illustrator Ed Emberley will open with a family-friendly party at the Akron Art Museum on Thursday, Jan. 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. The museum plans art activities, storytelling and drawing demonstrations, as well as music, snacks and opportunities to meet special guests Ed and Barbara Emberley.
“Ed Emberley: Better You Than Me” includes artwork from the artist’s personal archive of hand-drawn sketches, woodblock prints, mockups and first edition books, along with never-before-exhibited drawings and prints.
Akron Art Museum Director of Education Alison Caplan said, “Party participants will be the first to experience Emberley’s original works up close and personal at the Akron Art Museum. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate that experience than allowing visitors to get creative themselves and participate in fun, hands-on activities with talented local artists, not to mention meeting the Emberleys in person.”
“Better You Than Me” is created from a specially curated selection from the first retrospective of Emberley’s work that was presented by the Worcester Art Museum in 2016 and 2017. Guest curator and mural artist Caleb Neelon will attend the Akron party and will demonstrate some of Emberley’s drawing techniques. Emberley and Neelon will also sign books, which are available for purchase in the museum store.
Kyle Jozsa of Wandering Aesthetics will bring some of Emberley’s imagery to life through interactive storytelling. Artist and educator Jennifer Davis, from SmART Studio, will create thumbprint puppets with party-goers so they can get in on the storytelling action.
“Ed Emberley’s drawing books empowered a generation of kids to live creatively by taking simple shapes and lines and making them into elaborate worlds,” said Caplan. “I love his statement, ‘Not everyone needs to be an artist, but everyone needs to feel good about themselves.’ Seeing the work in person inspires that energy in both adults who grew up with the work and new generations of young artists.”
‘Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Animals’ (1970) inspired a whole generation of young artists. ‘Ed Emberley: Better You Than Me’ will be on exhibit at the Akron Art Museum Jan. 11 through July 15.
Emberley received the Caldecott Medal in 1968 for his picture book “Drummer Hoff.” He is also well-known for the 1992 bestseller “Go Away, Big Green Monster.” Generations of artists and illustrators grew up with his inventive teaching book “Ed Emberley’s Drawing Book of Animals” (1970). The book launched a series of colorful, step by step drawing books that taught aspiring artists how to draw animals, faces, boats, dragons and more using simple shapes.
The exhibit will contain interactive features, including a stylized reproduction of the artist’s drawing and light table from his home studio—where visitors of all ages may try their hand at his techniques.
Additional programming during the run of the exhibition includes a workshop for educators on Feb. 24, hands-on school tours and February education programs Creative Playdate: Playdough Love Monsters Inspired by the Art of Ed Emberley (Feb. 1), Tots Create: Fingerprint Impression Art (Feb. 3) and Kids Studio: Woodblock Printing with Ziplock Bags (Feb. 3). Visit www.akronartmuseum.org for details and to register.
For more info, visit www.akronartmuseum.org, or join the conversation on social media with #emberleyakron and follow along on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The exhibit will be on view July 15 and was organized by Caleb Neelon for the Akron Art Museum. Its presentation in Akron is sponsored by a gift from the Mary S. and David C. Corbin Foundation, with additional support from the OMNOVA Solutions Foundation and Fifth Third Bank. Media support provided by ideastream®.
