Children's Illustration: Another Exhibition!!

I am SO excited! Marie Knudson and Katie Kennedy from Tameside Art Galleries visited the studio today, to talk about an exhibition in 2009. I've never been much into exhibiting my work, as there's so much to do, and work doesn't sell easily. But this is really different. Marie and Katie are so lovely, with lots of exciting ideas, and they are happy to do all the difficult or boring bits for me; all I have to do is the fun stuff.

The exhibition will be in the Central Art Gallery, from August 14th to November 7th. I can choose about 20 spreads from maybe 5 books, plus we are also going to frame smaller, related pieces to hang below, at child height, as well as bits of background information and anecdotes: I simply HAVE to use the nipple story (see An Itch To Scratch).

But it doesn't end there. They are going to commission designers to create a couple of crazy wallpapers from my illustrations, to feature on the gallery walls. I can also devise children's activity sheets for visitors, and they even have a man who will make themed props to create a roll-playing resource that kids can use. How brilliant is that!?

The idea is that we use the gallery space for me to do children's workshops and storytellings, surrounded by the work. So as well as the formal opening night in August, we are planning a big family opening day once the school holidays are over, in September. And when it comes down in November, Marie is looking at the possibility of turning it into a touring exhibition!!!

I can't quite believe it. I might burst if I have to wait until next summer!