| WORKS
BY CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATOR JAMES RANSOME FEATURED IN EXHIBIT
AT WILLIAM PATERSON UNIVERSITY
Illustrator James Ransome,
who was named by the Children’s Book Council as one of 75 authors
and illustrators everyone should know, presents a selection of his
original drawings and illustrations, as well as books, in an exhibit
in William Paterson University’s Ben Shahn Galleries from January
31 through March 8, 2002. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday,
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
The exhibit, on view
in Ben Shahn’s East Gallery, is titled "A Life’s
Journey." The show includes a large number of Ransome’s
oil on paper and acrylic on paper works which have been featured
in more than 25 children’s books. Ransome will discuss his
works during a special lecture on Thursday, February 28 at 2:00
p.m. in the Galleries; for information, call 973-720-2654.
Ransome’s interest
in drawing began as a young child growing up in rural North Carolina.
He later moved to Bergenfield, New Jersey, where he took photography
and filmmaking courses at Bergenfield High School "and discovered
the power perspective, value and cropping could have on a single
image." Ransome went on to earn a bachelor of fine arts degree
in illustration from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.
Currently a member of
the Society of Illustrators, Ransome received both the Coretta Scott
King Award for illustration and the IBBY Honor Award for "The
Creation." He also received a Coretta Scott King Honor Award
for illustration for "Uncle Jed’s Barbershop," which
was named an American Library Association Notable Book and was a
featured selection on the PBS show "Reading Rainbow."
Two other books, "How Many Stars in the Sky?" and "Sweet
Clara and the Freedom Quilt," were also "Reading Rainbow"
selections.
"What makes illustrating
books so exciting is that because each book has a special voice,
my approach toward each is different," he says. "Whether
it be through
my choice of palette, design or perspective, there is always a desire
to experiment and explore what makes each book unique."
Ransome has exhibited
his works in group and solo shows throughout the country and received
the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance award for his book, "The
Wagon." He has completed a mural for the Children’s Museum
of Indianapolis and his work is part of both private and public
children’s book art collections. For the body of his work,
Ransome received the 2001 Rip Van Winkle Award from the School Library
Media Specialists of Southeast New York.
In addition to his career as an illustrator, Ransome teaches at
Pratt Institute and lectures at elementary schools, libraries and
book conferences. He lives in upstate New York with his wife and
four children.
Ransome’s exhibit
is one of three shows on view concurrently in the Ben Shahn Galleries.
On view in the South Gallery is "Bernarda Bryson Shahn,"
a retrospective of works by the internationally recognized 98-year-old
New Jersey artist. In the Court Gallery, a group show titled "Issues
of Identity in Recent American Art" addresses issues of culture,
race, gender, and national and personal identity through the works
of nine artists. All exhibits are free and open to the public and
are wheelchair accessible.
This exhibit is made
possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the
Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment
for the Arts.
For additional information,
please call the Ben Shahn Galleries at William Paterson University
at 973-720-2654.
# # #
1/07/02
For
Further Information, contact:
- Mary
Beth Zeman, Director, Public Relations 973-720-2966
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