Show 26 Friday April 19 2002 Standard-Examin- er Treehouse Museum ‘books’ new art exhibit By BECKY WRIGHT Standard-Examine- staff r GDEN - A new exhibit at Treehouse Museum shows children how a picture book is made - from idea to publication The exhibit “The Art of the Storybook” opens Saturday with appearances by two nationally known illustrators of children’s books “It’s really quite a fun exhibit” said Lynne Goodwin director of Treehouse Museum “It’s designed to be portable and has a backdrop with giant paintbrushes and other artists’ tools and eight cases that trace the steps of getting a children’s book from idea to publication There are a lot of sketches and original art to see in the cases” The sketches and original art pieces were done by Giles Laroche and Joan Paley both of Massachusetts Laroche created the artwork for the children’s books “Bridges Are to Cross” (Putnam 1998) and “Sacred Places” (Putnam 2000) Paley illustrated “Little White Duck” (Little Brown and Company 2000) “The Emperor Lays an Egg” (Henry Holt and Company 2001) and “Unbeatable Beaks” (Henry Holt and Company ' 1999) Both artists are known for their cut paper collage illustrations Laroche’s illustrations were declared good” by Publishers Weekly According to a press release about the artist each of his illustrations involves drawing cutting painting and gluing The collages often have as many as eight layers of paper with spacers between layers to add depth to the work Paley’s work often revolves around nature and “mind-boggling- ly begins making her illustrations Make your own - museum where children experiment to learn Treehouse has a special treat in store for families who visit “The Art of the Storybook” exhibit After viewing the exhibit children are invited to create their own picture books “It’s not only showing but a lot of doing too” said Goodwin “We have a fun artist’s table where you can sketch on a thumbnail planner what you want your A hands-o- n book to look like You show your idea to a Treehouse worker and they give you a spiral book to work in- - Then you start to make your own collages” The hands-o- n art project focuses on collage illustrations because both of the artists featured in the exhibit are known for their collage art said Goodwin adding that it’s a very accessible art form for PREVIEW children ‘‘We have text you can cut and use - several children’s songs inspired by Paley’s illustrations to the song ‘The Little White Duck’ - or you can come up with your own story and write your own text” she said “We’ve got a slew of fun shapes foam paper and different kinds of art materials to make your own collage” Klutz Press a publisher of books for children donated the books and art materials for the exhibit “Klutz contacted several children’s museums across the country that might be interested in doing book activities” said Goodwin “We told them about our event and wound up with 4000 of these books - and the collage materials” Workshops A few lucky children will animals She does a lot of research to make sure she get professional advice illustrates animals and their before creating their collages environment as accurately as Laroche and Paley will be at Treehouse Museum from 1 possible Her press release indicates that she creates pm to 2 pm Saturday for a “small thumbnail sketches of book signing and to help with the entire book” on a single a ceremony at sheet of paper before she 3 pm In addition the artists ribbon-cuttin- g WHAT: Storybook’ WHEN: The Art of the Opens Saturday Book signing with Giles Laroche and Joan Paley 2 pm WHERE: Treehouse Museum 455 23rd St Ogden ADMISSION: $350children $2adults free for Treehouse members MUSEUM HOURS: 10 am-noo- n Monday for T oddler Time 1 0 am-- 6 pm and Tuesday-Thursda- y Saturdays 10 Fridays am-- 9 pm will conduct a hands-o- n workshop at 10 am for Treehouse members who have preregistered for the class “Giles is going to work with us to make a village from cut paper and Joan will show how to make a watercolor collage and how to paint paper to get certain textures” said Goodwin Laroche and Paley are also conducting workshops for students at Wasatch Horace Mann and Majestic elementary schools The artists’ visits are supported by a grant from the Ogden School Foundation Those who are not able to attend workshops with Laroche and Paley will not be left out of the story There will be open Art Garden collage activities with the Treehouse staff from noon to 6 A pm Saturday Treehouse original “The Art of the Storybook” is an original exhibit designed by Treehouse and made possible by grants from the See BOOKS27 |