Children's Illustrators Opening- September 12, 2008

So the evening started off slowly... I plan these events so far in advance but who was to know that it was a race weekend bringing in fans from around New England and that Barack Obama was speaking at the Tech. Both conspired to clog the highways heading North keeping most of the artists from arriving on time. Tracey Dahle Carrier was first and is shown here speaking with a collector.

Beth Krommes showed up next, shown here in the green sweater talking with a fan. Both Tracey and Beth are from NH so were able to get around some of the traffic.

Soon the crowds really started showing up - there was barely any room to move (although it doesn't seem like it in these photos. People had so many questions for the artists. Mary, Amanda & I were kept busy introducing fans to the artists and shepherding the artists downstairs to sign books that Gibson's Bookstore made available that evening.

Sheila Smallwood, children's editor at Houghton Mifflin, is shown here on the left of Rebecca Bond-yet another illustrator! Sheila was instrumental in getting this show off the ground so long ago. She pointed me in the direction of an Studio Goodwin Sturges who reps so many wonderful children's illustrators. It was difficult to choose just the the seven that I did.

Sheila's pocket puppy, Riley, is shown amusing one of the many young fans who turned up to meet real, live artists! (photo credit Michelle Johnson)






Here is Scott Magoon standing in front of his prints. He arrived 45 minutes late because of traffic. As soon as he walked through the door he was accosted by a young reader who was very concerned that he wouldn't get his book signed. Scott was originally from NH but has since moved to the big city to be an editor for Houghton Mifflin.

This is Amanda chatting with Wade Zahares. We have worked with Wade on some larger projects so it has been wonderful to meet him in person and share his stunning pastels with everyone.


We also had many people from the Currier Museum of Art come to see this show thanks to Tracey Dahle Carrier who works there. This is Susan Leidy, deputy director of the museum. I think I have captured her in a more serious moment as she was chatting up many.