Open now: The Imaginary Library

The Western Libraries at Western Washington University is playing host to an exhibit of original art by 72 illustrators from 30 countries titled “An Imaginary Library: Children’s Books That Do Not (Yet) Exist.”

The participating artists were invited by the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany, to create an original book cover for a book that does not yet exist but which someday the artist would love to create. Each book cover is accompanied by a short text that expresses the artist's idea.

The original paintings, sketches, and drawings by some of the world’s most successful and best known children’s book illustrators will be on display in the fourth floor Rotunda at Wilson Library on the Western campus from Feb. 10 through April 30.

This exhibit comes to WWU from Chicago, having been staged already in Japan, Greece, and Iran. This is the last stop, and the only West Coast venue, before the exhibit returns to Germany.

“For many, a first exposure to visual art came through the pages of a children’s book. An Imaginary Library explores the craft of children’s illustration as well as the intersection between visual arts and literature,” said WWU Librarian Sylvia Tag. “The project serves as a learning opportunity for students studying English, graphic design, writing, art, literature, education, and international studies.”

These book-dreams were created for readers of all ages by three generations of artists from regions of the world including Argentina, Australia, Belgium, China, Greece, Iran, Japan, Slovenia, Russia, Spain, South Africa, and Uruguay. Many of the countries in this exhibit are under-represented in the appreciation and understanding of children’s literature.

This creative, interdisciplinary exhibit combines visual arts with literature in a fun and engaging way, inspiring the viewer to think about the intersection of various disciplines. The Western Libraries Children’s Literature Interdisciplinary Collection includes a number of international children’s literature authors and illustrators and continues to build the collection in this area.

The exhibit will also serve as one highlight of the 2010 WWU Children’s Literature Conference, which brings hundreds of educators, students, artists, librarians, and scholars to campus the first weekend in March.

Artists, educators, parents, librarians, and children of all ages are invited to view this exhibit, perhaps linking the visit to an illustration or writing workshop. Group visits can be arranged by contacting Sylvia Tag at sylvia.tag@wwu.edu.

This exhibit was commissioned by the International Youth Library in Munich, Germany and the artwork represents a broad spectrum of international children’s book illustrators. The texts that accompany the art inspire the imagination and encourage dialogue, providing many opportunities for cross-cultural understanding.

An opening reception for the exhibit, open to the public, will be held 4 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 10 in the fourth floor Rotunda at Wilson Library.

This exhibit is sponsored by Western Washington University: Cold Beverage Enhancement Fund, The Western Libraries, The College of Humanities & Social Sciences, College of Fine and Performing Arts, and International Studies

The exhibit will be open to the public during library hours. For more information please see the exhibit Web site or Western Libraries.