Art that’s young at heart: Mazza features children’s book illustrations

1/13/2013

FINDLAY — The magic in children’s literature is forged with unfettered creativity, a healthy sense of fun, and the notion that everything from the silly to the sublime can teach a lesson.

Mazza Museum of International Art from Children’s Picture Books in Findlay is steeped in images that have sparked youngsters’ imaginations for decades, and each month from October to April it holds a themed Funday Sunday to allow exploration of its vast collection.

About 300 to 400 people attend the events, said Ben Sapp, director of the 30-year-old museum on the University of Findlay campus.

“Everything has a literature and art-related theme — each station — so we hope children come away with an excitement to read, to learn, to experiment in art, and that is something they carry with them through school and life,” he said.

An estimated 360 people attended last weekend’s event, which had a beach party theme. Each Funday Sunday is held on the first Sunday of the month and February’s will have a sports theme. Mr. Sapp said organizers will pore through the museum’s vast collection to find works that center on sports and create displays for the event.

The March 3 Funday Sunday will celebrate Dr. Seuss. Attendance is free.

The Mazza museum is open from noon to 5 p.m on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays. It is in the Gardner Fine Arts Pavilion at 201 College St., Findlay. For information on the museum go to www.mazzacollection.org or call 419-434-4560.

Contact Rod Lockwood at: rlockwood@theblade.com or 419-724-6159.