Wisconsin Academy: The Fine Art of Children’s Book Illustration opens October 11 at the Wisconsin Academy’s James Watrous Gallery

The Fine Art of Children’s Book Illustration presents the work of several of Wisconsin’s most accomplished illustrators of children’s books: Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Laura Dronzek, Renée Graef, Lois Ehlert, Kevin Henkes, David McLimans, and Ellen Raskin. The exhibition, which runs from October 11–December 6 and includes a myriad of free events for the public, explores each participating artist’s process for producing a finished children’s book, from conception to a finished set of original illustrations ready for the publisher. See sketches, paintings, and collages, the book “dummies” usually only seen by publishers, as well as finished illustrations.

Join Us for a Panel Discussion this Sunday, October 11, 2:00–5:00 pm In conjunction with the Wisconsin Book Festival, the James Watrous Gallery will host a panel discussion with Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Laura Dronzek, Renée Graef, Lois Ehlert, Kevin Henkes, David McLimans, and moderated by K. T. Horning, beginning at 2:30 pm in the Wisconsin Studio (across from the James Watrous Gallery), Overture Center for the Arts. Free and open to the public. For more info visit wisconsinacademy.org .

This exhibition is supported in part by the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation. Additional support comes from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts; by a grant from the Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission with additional funds from the American Girl’s Fund for Children, the Evjue Foundation, and the Overture Foundation; by Stephen & Melanie Watrous, William & Lynne Watrous Eich, and Tom Watrous & Suzanne McKegney; and by Bruce Jacobs. Ongoing support comes from DoubleTree Hotel–Madison and Robert & Carroll Heideman. The Wisconsin Academy thanks these sponsors for their generous support.