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March 19, 2019
The Chrysler Museum Celebrates the Storytelling Art of Picture Book Artist Eric Carle in Upcoming Exhibition
Eric Carle (American, b. 1929)
Illustration for Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? by Bill Martin Jr (Henry Holt and Company)
Collection of Eric and Barbara Carle
© 2003 Eric Carle
NORFOLK, Va. (March 19, 2019) – June marks the 50th anniversary of the release of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the wildly popular picture book by Eric Carle. The beloved children’s book author and artist is famous for his representations of insects, animals and classic fables. The Chrysler Museum of Art is excited to present a dynamic selection of original works by the artist in Eric Carle: Moonlit Nights & Other Illustrations, on view from June 14–Sept. 8. While Carle traditionally illustrates daytime scenes by depicting figures against unmarked white paper, he evocatively collages his nighttime stories over painted fields of deep blues and swirling indigos. This exhibition focuses on the artist’s nighttime scenes and the stories they tell about twinkling stars, blinking fireflies and the gently smiling moon.
“If you think you already know Carle’s work from his books, just wait until you see the original collages. They’re amazing.” said Seth Feman, Ph.D., the Chrysler Museum’s Curator of Photography and Curator of Exhibitions. “Carle’s stories are always touching and compelling, but the vibrant colors and layered textures of his handmade works add another dimension.”
The exhibition features more than 80 original artworks that draw from more than 30 of Carle’s books and span the artist’s distinguished picture book career. Highlights include selections from The Very Hungry Caterpillar (1969); The Grouchy Ladybug (1977); The Very Quiet Cricket (1990); Papa, Please Get the Moon for Me (1986); Draw Me a Star (1992) and The Very Lonely Firefly (1995).
In addition to the artworks, visitors of all ages will enjoy a dedicated interactive gallery space with hands-on artmaking activities and a reading library equipped with the full range of Carle’s books. Visitors can reenact their favorite Carle stories and create their own narratives with The Nonsense Puppet Show, an area filled with Carle-inspired hand puppets and costumes. The Very Marvelous Magnetic Board will encourage visitors to use colorful and textured magnets to make collages in the style of Carle. In Watch Out! A Spelling Bee!, visitors will use a pegboard to spell out words and stories related to the nearby works, connecting literacy to Carle’s familiar imagery.
“These activities allow Museum visitors to experience art in a more hands-on way,” said Maegan Douglas, Chrysler Museum Educator for Wonder Studio and Family Experiences. “Our youngest visitors will relish the opportunity to use their hands, be playful and have fun all while experiencing the works of art around them. The exhibition is sure to engage Museum visitors of all ages.”
Eric Carle: Moonlit Nights & Other Illustrations is organized by The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, Amherst, Massachusetts.
The Chrysler Museum of Art presentation is made possible by Wells Fargo.
Programming
Family Day
Saturday, June 15, 2019
10 a.m.–3 p.m. │ Free
Get ready to enter the world of Eric Carle! The books you know and love will come to life in this free day for families. Explore our summer exhibition, create your own Moonlit Nights crafts, learn about the animals in the exhibition, listen to stories and visit with local librarians. Supported by the Bunny and Perry Morgan Family Fund. Sponsored by Dominion Energy.
Tickle My Ears
Thursdays, June 20, July 11 and 25 and Aug. 1 and 15, 2019
10:30 a.m. | Free
Meet us in the gallery for immersive story times. We’ll read some of Eric Carle’s most popular books in our summer exhibition, Eric Carle: Moonlit Nights & Other Illustrations. For ages 2–5.
Moonlit Nights Pajama Party
Thursdays, July 11 and Aug. 22, 2019
5–8 p.m. | Free
Experience Eric Carle: Moonlit Nights & Other Illustrations after hours! Bring the whole family for s’mores, tours and astronomy activities. Don’t forget to wear your best jammies and bring your favorite stuffed animal. Registration is recommended at chrysler.org
Summer Camps
Little Picture Play Art Camp for ages 4–6
July 22–26, 2019 from 8:30 a.m.–noon
Picture Play Art Camp for ages 7–10
Aug. 5–9, 2019 from 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Create art inspired by the Chrysler Museum’s summer exhibition Eric Carle: Moonlit Nights & Other Illustrations. Each day, explore Carle’s illustrations in the gallery, hear a story reading and work on art projects inspired by the exhibition. Make your own book, create colorful tissue paper collages and learn how to illustrate a story with vibrant drawings. For more information and to register, visit chrysler.org.
#EricCarleNights
ABOUT THE CHRYSLER MUSEUM OF ART
The Chrysler Museum of Art is one of America’s most distinguished mid-sized art museums, with a nationally recognized collection of more than 30,000 objects, including one of the great glass collections in America. The core of the Chrysler’s collection comes from Walter P. Chrysler, Jr., an avid art collector who donated thousands of objects from his private collection to the Museum. In the years since Chrysler’s death in 1988, the Museum has dramatically enhanced its collection and extended its ties with the Norfolk community. The Museum has growing collections in many areas. The Chrysler also mounts an ambitious schedule of exhibitions and educational programs and events each season.
In 2011, the Chrysler opened the Perry Glass Studio adjacent to the Museum. This state-of-art, working facility offers programming for aspiring and master artists alike in a variety of processes including glassblowing, fusing, flameworking, coldworking, and neon. The Studio also has earned a reputation for its cutting-edge performance evenings that mix live glassmaking with visual, musical, culinary and performing arts. The Perry Glass Studio recently was the site of the prestigious 2017 Glass Art Society Conference.
In addition, the Chrysler Museum of Art administers two historic houses in downtown Norfolk: the Moses Myers House and the Willoughby-Baylor House.
The Chrysler Museum of Art, One Memorial Place, Norfolk, and its Perry Glass Studio at 745 Duke St., are open to the public Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m. The Historic Houses on East Freemason Street are open weekends. General admission is free at all venues. For more information on the Chrysler Museum of Art, visit chrysler.org.
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