WOW hosts a reception and conversation with award-winning artist and illustrator Ronald Himler. Himler’s watercolor art influenced a generation of fine art and picturebook creators. Born in Cleveland, Ohio, he attended the Cleveland Institute of Arts, studying painting and illustration, and the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. In 1972, he illustrated his first children’s book, Glad Day and Other Classical Poems for Children. In 1976 he wrote his first book, The Girl with the Yellow Giraffe, for his daughter and in 1979 he authored Wake Up Jermiah for his son. He has now illustrated 120 children’s books and hundreds of book covers. These and many of his other books can be perused in the collection.

This exhibit features Himler’s original paintings from The Roses in My Carpets, Always with You, The Caged Birds of Phnom Penh and The Lily Cupboard. These books and many of his other books can be perused in the collection. Hands-on activities for children of all ages include an introduction to watercolor, an exercise with elastic bands to help children understand the concept of resilience and an opportunity to depict oneself in a “dummy” layout page.

UA BookStores will be in the collection for those who would like to purchase a book to have signed by the illustrator. The artist will also entertain requests to purchase selected works. Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP preferred (not required) to wow@email.arizona.edu.

“Creating Hope through Resilience: The Picturebook Art of Ronald Himler” is free to visit and open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information or to schedule a field trip or guided tour, contact wow@email.arizona.edu.