The University of Findlay - Conference Information

July 11 - 15, 2011

Keynote Speakers:

Candy Fleming            Speaking Monday morning, July 11
This award-winning writer and illustrator loved writing stories when she was younger. She awarded herself the Newbery Medal in fifth grade after taking a sticker off an award-winning book. Her passion and love gave her the inspiration to create many books for children, such as Muncha!, Muncha!, Muncha!, Gator Gumbo, Smile Lily!, When Agnes Caws and Who Invited You?

Eric Rohmann           Speaking Monday morning, July 11
This Caldecott Medal and Honor winner lives in a suburb of Chicago. In addition to illustrating and writing, he has taught drawing and printmaking. Eric finds that experiences and his reactions to his experiences create great ideas for a story. His books include Time Flies, The Cinder-Eyed Cats, The Prairie Train and My Friend Rabbit.

Harry Bliss             Speaking Monday afternoon, July 11
This cover artist/cartoonist resides in South Burlington, Vt. He grew up in a family with very talented painters and illustrators. Along with illustrating children books, he created well-known gags titled “Bliss.” A few of his books include A Fine, Fine School, Which Would You Rather Be?, Diary of a Worm and Diary of a Spider.

Laura Jacobsen        Speaking Tuesday morning, July 12
This children's illustrator, origunally from Columbus, Ohio, moved out West to get away from Ohio's cold and rainy weather. She is happily married and has two dogs, Hopper and Lucy. Laura uses pastel pencils and watercolor along with her computer to create her works of art. Two of her books are A Party in Ramadan and The Best Eid Ever.

Chris Gall                 Speaking Tuesday afternoon, July 12
This artist has engraved and painted for almost every top publication in America. He spent four years as a professional stand-up comedian, loves restoring classic cars and pilots all kinds of airplanes. His works include Dinotrux, Dear Fish, America the Beautiful and There’s Nothing to Do on Mars.

Anita Silvey             Speaking Wednesday morning, July 13
The Mazza Museum welcomes a children’s and young adult book expert to our conference. This well-known author and publisher has dedicated 35 years to promoting books to encourage reading in teens and children. A few of her works include 500 Great Books for Teens, 100 Best Books for Children, The Essential Guide to Children’s Books and Their Creators and I’ll Pass for Your Comrade.

Nick Bruel                Speaking Wednesday morning, July 13
This illustrator and cartoonist has made the New York Times bestseller list several times. He resides in New York with his wife, Carina, and their cat, Esmeralda. In Nick’s spare time he collects PEZ dispensers and grows tomatoes in his backyard. His books include Who is Melvin Bubble?, Little Red Bird, Poor Puppy and the Bad Kitty collection.

Richard Cowdrey      Speaking Wednesday afternoon, July 13
This illustrator and artist is originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. His passion for art is relevant in this quote: “Creating a successful illustration is a process of collaboration between illustrator and designer, a process of directing and taking direction, of concepting and exchanging ideas, and completion of final artwork.” A few of his works include: The Christmas Baby, This is the Day, The Sandman and Bad Dog, Marley.

Cheryl Harness         Speaking Thursday morning, July 14
According to Gannett News Service, Cheryl Harness has an uncanny knack for making history fun. She breathes life into the past. This friendly Independence, Missouri, author/illustrator has created chapter and children’s books. A few of her many books include The Harry Book, Just for You to Know, Women Daredevils and Ghosts of the Civil War.

James Warhola         Speaking Thursday afternoon, July 14
This American artist is the nephew of the legendary artist Andy Warhol. He has illustrated more than two dozen books and created hundreds of cover artworks for science fiction books. He wrote and illustrated Uncle Andy’s: A Fabulous Visit with Andy Warhol, a book that was given much attention. His other books include Uncle Andy’s Cats, If You’re Happy and You Know It, If Dogs Were Dinosaurs and Eddie: Harold’s Little Brother.

John Manders                Speaking Friday morning, July 15
This artist and illustrator is a pet lover who is interested in puppetry and learning Italian. His work has been featured in more than 30 children’s books and many different magazines for children. His books include Such a Prince, Pete and Fremont, The Perfect Nest, Dirty Boy and Prancing, Dancing Lily.

Seymour Simon            Speaking Friday afternoon, July 15
This author has more than 250 highly acclaimed science books. His books, all on various topics, are known to be engaging and full of learning. He taught science and creative writing in elementary and secondary schools. A few of his many books include Tropical Rainforests, Global Warming, The Human Body, Wolves and Gorillas.

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

The 2011 Mazza Summer Conference registration fee entitles you to:

Attend keynote sessions
Attend many pull-out sessions
Continental breakfasts
Chances to win many door prizes
Conference handouts

This year is our fourth year to include a children’s book writing strand. A special strand will permeate the conference for those interested in becoming a children’s book author/illustrator. This strand must be taken for the full five-day conference. If you chose this strand, you must attend all the pullout sessions for this strand and will not be able to attend any other pullouts.

Flexible Registration:

You may chose any or all days of the Conference to attend. Check the artists for a complete schedule and chose which days you want to attend. The fee is below:

All five days           Only $225; savings of $100
Any four days        Only $200; savings of $60
Any three days      Only $170; savings of $25
Any two days        Only $120; savings of $10
Any one day          Only $65

Conference space available will accommodate 300 participants. Registration for the 2011 Mazza Summer Conference begins February 1, 2011 and closes July 7, 2011, or earlier, if maximum participation limit is reached. Please register early.

Classroom Credit Hours

Attend the Mazza Museum 2011 Summer Conference
for graduate credit, undergraduate credit or just for fun!

The basic registration fee is waived for those participating in the conference for graduate or undergraduate credit.

Graduate Credit: 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 hours of graduate credit are available from The University of Findlay for conference participants at the cost of $540 per credit hour plus a $33 per-credit-hour service fee.

Undergraduate Credit: 1, 2 or 3 hours of graduate credit are available from The University of Findlay for conference participants at the cost of $577 per credit hour plus a $33 per-credit-hour service fee.

The basic registration fee of $225 is waived for those participating in the conference for graduate or undergraduate credit.

Those taking the conference for credit must attend and complete all requirements:

For 1 hour: must attend for two days and complete syllabus requirements

For 2 hours: must attend for three days and complete syllabus requirements

For 3-5 hours: must attend for five days and complete syllabus requirements

NO REFUNDS AFTER July 7, 2011. There will be a $25.00 processing fee on all refunds. Refund checks will be issued after the conference concludes.

Please Note: Through the generosity of Floyd & Stella Dickman an endowment has been established to help librarians with the registration fee for the summer conference. If you are interested in applying for this grant, please contact Kerry Teeple at 419-434-5521 or Teeple@findlay.edu for further information and an application form.

For more information:

Benjamin E. Sapp, Director
Mazza Museum
The University of Findlay
1000 N. Main Street
Findlay, OH 45840-3695
(419) 434-4560 FAX (419) 434-6480
e-mail: sapp@findlay.edu