Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Encyclopedia
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is a museum devoted to the art
of the picture book
and especially the children's book. It is a member of Museums10
and is adjacent to the campus of Hampshire College
in Amherst, Massachusetts
. The Carle was founded by Eric and Barbara Carle.
, the author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar
, founded the museum. It was the first full-scale museum in the United States
devoted to national and international picture book
art. The Museum’s stated goal is to foster connections between visual and verbal literacy and to provide visitors of all ages and backgrounds with the opportunity to explore their own creativity and the confidence to appreciate and enjoy art of every kind.
Past exhibitions include:
Upcoming Exhibitions:
The Public Art Program is Free with Museum Admission.
Designed for classroom teachers, librarians, art teachers, and others interested in engaging students in the visual arts and the art of the book, the Museum’s professional development programs emphasize teaching through the arts and encourage critical and creative thinking.
Art
Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....
of the picture book
Picture book
A picture book combines visual and verbal narratives in a book format, most often aimed at young children. The images in picture books use a range of media such as oil paints, acrylics, watercolor and pencil.Two of the earliest books with something like the format picture books still retain now...
and especially the children's book. It is a member of Museums10
Museums10
Museums10 is a consortium of art, science, and history museums in Western Massachusetts. It is composed of museums from the Five Colleges and Historic Deerfield.-Art museums:*The Mead Art Museum...
and is adjacent to the campus of Hampshire College
Hampshire College
Hampshire College is a private liberal arts college in Amherst, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1965 as an experiment in alternative education, in association with four other colleges in the Pioneer Valley: Amherst College, Smith College, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of Massachusetts...
in Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst, Massachusetts
Amherst is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States in the Connecticut River valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 37,819, making it the largest community in Hampshire County . The town is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts...
. The Carle was founded by Eric and Barbara Carle.
History
Together with his wife Barbara, Eric CarleEric Carle
Eric Carle is a children's book author and illustrator who is most famous for his book The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which has been translated into over 50 languages...
, the author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic The Very Hungry Caterpillar
The Very Hungry Caterpillar
The Very Hungry Caterpillar is a children's picture book designed, illustrated and written by Eric Carle, first published by the World Publishing Company in 1969, later published by Penguin Putnam. The book follows a caterpillar as it eats its way through a wide variety of foodstuffs before...
, founded the museum. It was the first full-scale museum in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
devoted to national and international picture book
Picture book
A picture book combines visual and verbal narratives in a book format, most often aimed at young children. The images in picture books use a range of media such as oil paints, acrylics, watercolor and pencil.Two of the earliest books with something like the format picture books still retain now...
art. The Museum’s stated goal is to foster connections between visual and verbal literacy and to provide visitors of all ages and backgrounds with the opportunity to explore their own creativity and the confidence to appreciate and enjoy art of every kind.
Exhibitions
The museum includes three rotating galleries, each housing picture book art. The West Gallery is devoted to the work of Eric Carle, the East and Central galleries present the work of numerous picture book artists.Past exhibitions include:
- Into the Wood: Antonio FrasconiAntonio FrasconiAntonio Frasconi is an artist known for his woodcuts. He has won a number of awards and illustrated over 100 books. His major work took ten years to complete and is a series of woodcuts that illustrate "The Disappeared"...
's Art for Children (March 16 - June 13, 2010) - Leo LionniLeo LionniLeo Lionni was an author and illustrator of children's books. Born in Holland, he moved to Italy and lived there before moving to the United States in 1939, where he worked as an art director for several advertising agencies, and then for Fortune magazine. He returned to Italy in 1962 and started...
: Geraldine, the Music Mouse (May 4 - November 28, 2010) - Maurice SendakMaurice SendakMaurice Bernard Sendak is an American writer and illustrator of children's literature. He is best known for his book Where the Wild Things Are, published in 1963.-Early life:...
: Inside and Out (November 22, 2002 - January 12, 2003) - The Many Paths of Dr. SeussDr. SeussTheodor Seuss Geisel was an American writer, poet, and cartoonist most widely known for his children's books written under the pen names Dr. Seuss, Theo LeSieg and, in one case, Rosetta Stone....
: Four Points of the Compass (May 7 - July 11, 2004) - The Mysteries of Chris Van AllsburgChris Van AllsburgChris Van Allsburg is an American author and illustrator of children's books. He twice won the Caldecott Medal, for Jumanji and The Polar Express , both of which he wrote and illustrated, and both of which were later adapted into successful motion pictures...
(November 20, 2004 - March 13, 2005) - The Wonderful Art of OzThe Wonderful Wizard of OzThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. Originally published by the George M. Hill Company in Chicago on May 17, 1900, it has since been reprinted numerous times, most often under the name The Wizard of Oz, which is the name of...
(July 11 - October 22, 2006) - Picture Stories: A Celebration of African American Illustrators (March 24 - June 17, 2007)
- Dorothy KunhardtDorothy KunhardtDorothy Kunhardt was an American children's-book author, best known for the baby book Pat the Bunny. She was also a historian and writer about the life of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln....
's Pat the Bunny (May 16 - December 7, 2008) - 80/40: Celebrating the Birthdays of Eric Carle and The Very Hungry Caterpillar (February 10 - September 6, 2009)
- Drawings from the Heart: Tomie dePaolaTomie dePaolaThomas Anthony "Tomie A." dePaola , is an American author and illustrator of over 200 children's books, including Caldecott Honor book Strega Nona and Newbery Honor book 26 Fairmount Avenue. DePaola was awarded the Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal in 2011.-Biography:DePaola was born in Meriden,...
Turns 75 (July 3 - November 1, 2009) - Golden Legacy: Original Art from 65 Years of Golden Books Featuring Artwork from Iconic Children’s Books (November 24, 2009 - February 28, 2010)
- Eric Carle: A Feast for the Eyes (September 21, 2010 - March 20, 2011)
- Monsters and Miracles: A Journey through Jewish Picture Books (October 15, 2010 - January 23, 2011)
Upcoming Exhibitions:
- Partners in Wonder: Selections from the Collection of Jane YolenJane YolenJane Hyatt Yolen is an American author and editor of almost 300 books. These include folklore, fantasy, science fiction, and children's books...
(December 14, 2010 - May 1, 2011) - What a Circus! The Art of Etienne Delessert (February 8 - June 5, 2011)
Public Art Program
The Art Studio at the Museum is open to visitors of all ages during regular Museum hours and supports the aims of the Museum by encouraging making, appreciating, and thinking about art. Activities and materials change regularly and are inspired by the Museum’s exhibitions.The Public Art Program is Free with Museum Admission.
Programs & Events
Professional DevelopmentDesigned for classroom teachers, librarians, art teachers, and others interested in engaging students in the visual arts and the art of the book, the Museum’s professional development programs emphasize teaching through the arts and encourage critical and creative thinking.