February 2, 2004 Library of Congress Presents Children's Book Illustrator Jerry Pinkney

One of today’s leading illustrators of children’s books, Jerry Pinkney, will present “A Sense of Place,” a lecture on Tuesday, Feb. 17, at 2 p.m. in the Mumford Room of the Library’s James Madison Building, 101 Independence Avenue S.E., Washington, D.C. This event is co-sponsored by the Library’s Prints and Photographs Division, the African American History Month Planning Committee and the Center for the Book. A book signing in Dining Room A, also on the sixth floor of the Madison building, will follow the lecture. This event is and is free and open to the public.

Pinkney will discuss his creative process and career, present a slide show of his work and comment on his newest book, “God Bless the Child” (2004), and his other books with African American themes.

Pinkney has been illustrating children’s books since 1964, creating images for over 80 titles. These include classics such as “Noah’s Ark” (2003), “The Nightingale” (2002), “The Little Match Girl” (1999) and “John Henry” (1994). Acclaimed for his masterful handling of watercolor, striking compositions and historical accuracy, Pinkney develops vivid illustrations for books that embrace a wide range of themes and often feature African American heroes and heroines.

Pinkney’s numerous awards underscore his distinguished place in the field of illustration. He has received five Caldecott Honor Medals, five Coretta Scott King Awards and has twice been a Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner. Pinkney has created illustrations for the U.S. Postal Service’s Black Heritage series, the National Geographic and the National Park Service’s African American history and culture projects. He was a United States nominee for the 1997 Hans Christian Andersen Illustration Medal and has also received four gold medals, four silver medals and the prestigious Hamilton King Award from the Society of Illustrators in New York City.

In addition to his work in children’s books, Pinkney has had more than 30 solo exhibitions at venues such as the Chicago Art Institute, the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore and the California African American Museum in Los Angeles. He has exhibited his work nationally and internationally in more than 100 group exhibitions. He has taught art at the Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, N.Y.; the University of Delaware, Newark; and the University of Buffalo. In 2003, Pinkney was appointed to the National Council of the Arts by President George W. Bush.

The Prints and Photographs Division, the African American History Month Planning Committee and the Center for the Book are presenting this special program, part of the Library of Congress’ series during the month of February that celebrates the achievements of African Americans. For more information about Pinkney’s upcoming program, contact Martha Kennedy at (202)707-9115 or Cheryl McCullers at (202) 707-1865, e-mail swann@loc.gov, or visit the Web page for the Swann Foundation for Caricature and Cartoon, a part of the Library’s Prints and Photographs Division, at www.loc.gov/rr/print/swann/currentevents.html.