COOPERSTOWN — Two art exhibits – “Young at Art: A Selection of Caldecott Book Illustrations” and “Boundless Spirit: American Folk Art” –will open to the public at the Fenimore Art Museum Saturday, Sept. 14.
According to a media release, the Young at Art exhibit will include original illustrations from Caldecott Medal recipients and from “runner-up” Honor books, as well as other illustrations by award-winning artists. This exhibition of works from Wichita Falls Museum of Art’s permanent collection celebrates the vision and talent of 28 award-winning artists, including the first Caldecott Award recipient Dorothy P. Lathrop (1938), two-time winner Chris Van Allsburg (1982, 1986), and Maurice Sendak (1964), whose work “Where the Wild Things Are,” like Van Allsburg’s “Jumanji” and “The Polar Express,” was adapted for the big screen. These illustrations are widely recognized not only as artistic classics in children’s literature but also as the source of countless beloved memories for the young and young at heart.
Through picture books, readers embark on visual journeys that engage all of the senses and encourage curious, imaginative, and thoughtful interactions with the world around them, the release stated. Since 1938, the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, has recognized the significant impact of art on early reading experiences, awarding the Caldecott Medal for excellence in this area. Named in honor of 19th-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott, the prestigious and highly coveted medal is awarded annually to the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
According to the release, Boundless Spirit will bring together the best of Fenimore’s distinguished collection of American folk art to share the complex spirit of a diverse and ever-changing nation. These voices from the past and present have much to tell us about ourselves and the heritage we all share. The exhibition runs through Dec. 29. Throughout American history, men and women from all walks of life have contributed to collective artistic heritage, regardless of whether they have received formal training in the arts. Traveling portrait painters, quilters, preachers, craftsmen and women, carvers, and anyone with a vision and the talent to realize it have made works of art with lasting impact. This exhibition focuses on five major impulses in the creation of folk art: decoration for the home; documentation of place and community; expression of patriotism and political beliefs; and stimulation of commerce. These universal impulses cross cultural boundaries and exemplify basic values shared by many Americans.
Visit FenimoreArt.org for more information.