Kidlit Glass Menagerie: A Delicate Children’s Literature Exhibit

Fun fact.  A show of hands even.  How many of you are aware the that the nonprofit National Center for Family Literacy has a brand new, bright and sparkling, name?  Not I, said the fly.  From here on in they are to be known as the National Center for Families Learning. Got that?  Good, because it’s pertinent to today’s post.  You see, the newly christened NCFL has paired together with Flame Run, a gallery in Louisville, Kentucky,  and the result is the “Book Worm” glass exhibit.  Which is to say, a range of artists working in the medium of glass brought to life their favorite characters and moments from children’s literature.  As they say:

“It is our hope to use the mystery of glass art to inspire the magic of reading and learning.  In “Book Worms” the ancient techniques of glass blowing will combine this historically social art activity with storytelling and an emphasis on family literacy.  The exhibit will have a reception on November 1 from 6:00-9:00pm in celebration of National Family Literacy Day®.  The glass studio will be open and families can sign up to blow their own glass ornaments; a portion of proceeds from all ornaments blown on November 1 benefit NCFL.”

And the pieces themselves?  Well they range between . . .

ALICE IN WONDERLAND

CURIOUS GEORGE (IN SPACE, NO LESS)

BUNNICULA (WHICH VERGES ON THE BRILLIANT)

THE GOLDEN SNITCH

HUMPTY DUMPTY

AND THE VELVETEEN RABBIT

Beautiful!

Here is a complete listing of the authors and their works as well:

TITLE /ARTIST/ INSPIRATION

• ·         “The Monster Book of Monsters”, by Tiffany Ackerman, inspired by J.K. Rowling’sHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
• ·         “Pinocchio”, by Dean Allison, inspired by Carlo Collodi’s The Adventures of Pinocchio
• ·         “The Giving Tree”, by Devyn Baron, inspired by Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree
• ·         “Astronaut George”, by Jason Chakravarty, inspired by H.A. Rey’s Curious George and the Rocket
• ·         “Green Eggs and Ham”, by John Chakravarty, inspired by Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham
• ·         “Rudolph”, by Bob Cox, inspired by Robert L. May’s Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer
• ·         “Where the Red Fern Grows”, by Robin Hoerth, inspired by Wilson Rawls’, Where the Red Fern Grows
• ·         “Bunnicula”, by Evan Lolli, inspired by James Howe’s Bunnicula
• ·         “Harold and the Purple Crayon”, by Courtney Krammer, inspired by Crockett Johnson’s Harold and the Purple Crayon
• ·         “Untitled” by Patrick Martin, inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit
• ·         “Alice in Wonderland”, by Steve Scherer, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
• ·         “Hakken-Kraks Howl”, by Andy Schultz, inspired by Dr. Suess’ Oh the Place’s You’ll Go!
• ·         “Incognito” by Nicole Stahl, inspired by Don & Audrey Woods’ The Big Hungry Bear, The Little Mouse, and the Red, Ripe, Strawberry
• ·         “Honey Trouble” by Sergio Vettori, inspired by A.A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh
• ·         “Humpty” by Jennifer Umphress, inspired by L. Frank Baum’s Humpty Dumpty
• ·         “Some Pig” by Dorie Gutherie, inspired by E. B. White’s Charlotte’s Web
• ·         “The Book of Kells” by Eoin Breadon, inspired by the Illuminate Manuscript, The Book of Kells
• ·         “The Velveteen Rabbit” by Amy Pender, inspired by Margery Williams’ The Velveteen Rabbit
• ·         “Burnt” by Lea Pate, inspired by Peter Yarrow and Lenny Lipton’s Puff the Magic Dragon

A thousand thanks to Sara Crumley for passing along the info and photos.  If you live anywhere near Louisville, go to this thing.  Sure wish I could.

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