Carle Honors Benefit/Auction Celebrates 10th Anniversary of The Eric Carle Museum
Amherst, MA — On Thursday, September 26, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art will celebrate its 10th anniversary with over 300 fellow children’s book artists, authors and advocates at Guastavino’s in New York City for the eighth annual Carle Honors. This gala, benefit and auction will pay tribute to the key individuals and organizations that have made the picture book such a vibrant and impactful art form in America, as well as those who have championed its vital role in supporting art appreciation, early literacy and critical thinking.
For just over a decade, The Eric Carle Museum has been collecting, preserving, presenting and celebrating picture books and their illustrations with the mission to foster a love of art and reading in all ages. The only full-scale museum of its kind in the United States, The Carle was the recipient of the 2013 Commonwealth Award for Creative Learning for its exceptional demonstration of the importance of creativity and innovation to student achievement and success. In addition, The Carle has received two grants from the National Endowment for the Arts as well as several local funding grants, each of which help bring nationally acclaimed artists to local schools that normally would not even have access to picture books. The Carle Honors is a key fundraiser providing critical support for the Museum’s mission and programs.
The evening will feature a constellation of awards presented to the individuals whose creative vision and dedication are integral to picture books and their role in arts education and literacy. The awards recognize individuals in four distinct forms: Artist, for lifelong innovation in the field; Mentor, editors, designers, and educators who champion the art form; Angel, whose generous financial support is crucial to making picture book art exhibitions, education programs, and related projects a reality; and Bridge, individuals who have found inspired ways to bring the art of the picture book to larger audiences through work in other fields.
The exceptional lineup includes the following honorees:
Artist: Chris Van Allsburg - Author/illustrator and two time Caldecott Medal winner for Jumanji and The Polar Express
Angel: Lynda Johnson Robb and Carol Rasco - Founding Board Member/Chairman Emeritus and President/CEO (respectively), Reading Is Fundamental
Mentor: Phyllis Fogelman Baker - First President of Dial Books for Young Readers; Publisher, Phyllis Fogelman Books
Bridge: Barbara Bader - Author, American Picturebooks from Noah's Ark to The Beast Within, the seminal scholarly work on the history of picture books
Where: Guastavino’s
409 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022
When: Thursday, September 26, 2013
5:00 pm - VIP champagne reception with honorees
6:00 pm - Reception with drinks, dinner fare, and auction
7:30 pm - Seated presentation of awards
8:15 pm - Dessert and coffee
8:45 pm - Auction close
The Carle Honors Art Auction will feature original works of art donated by more than a dozen of the industry’s most celebrated artists, including Eric Carle, Tony DiTerlizzi, Richard Egielski, Steven Kellogg, Jon Klassen, David Macaulay, Barbara McClintock, Barry Moser, Jerry Pinkney, Susan L. Roth, Chris Van Allsburg, David Wiesner, Rosemary Wells, Mo Willems and Robert R. Zakanitch. Artwork by the late Tom Feelings and William Steig has been generously donated by Niani Feelings and Jeanne Steig, the 2011 Carle Honors Angel.
All works are available on display at Books of Wonder, 18 West 18th Street, New York City from September 5 through September 25 and online now at http://www.carlemuseum.org/carlehonors/auction2013. Absentee bids are encouraged, and can be placed now by contacting Rebecca Miller Goggins at rebeccag@carlemuseum.org or calling 413-658-1118.
All proceeds benefit The Carle’s mission to instill a love of art and reading through picture books. The leading corporate sponsor is Penguin Young Readers Group. To purchase a sponsorship or tickets to the event, please call (413)-658-1104 or visit www.carlemuseum.org/CarleHonors/Sponsorship_and_Tickets/.
About The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art:
The mission of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, a non-profit organization in Amherst, MA, is to inspire a love of art and reading through picture books. The only full-scale museum of its kind in the United States, The Carle collects, preserves, presents, and celebrates picture books and picture book illustrations from around the world. In addition to underscoring the cultural, historical, and artistic significance of picture books and their art form, The Carle offers educational programs that provide a foundation for arts integration and literacy.
Eric and Barbara Carle founded the Museum in November 2002. Eric Carle is the renowned author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Since opening, the 40,000-foot facility has served more than half a million visitors, including 30,000 schoolchildren. Its extensive resources include a collection of more than 10,000 picture book illustrations, three art galleries, an art studio, a theater, picture book and scholarly libraries, and educational programs for families, scholars, educators, and schoolchildren. Educational offerings include professional training for educators around the country. Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday 12 noon to 5 p.m. with special extended summer hours. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children under 18, and $22.50 for a family of four. For further information and directions, call 413-658-1100 or visit the Museum’s website at www.carlemuseum.org.
