In conjunction with the opening of the exhibition Beautiful Blackbird: The Creative Spirit of Ashley Bryan, this symposium will bring together a range of speakers to reflect on Bryan's legacy as an artist, teacher, children's book author, and illustrator.
This event has already occurred
Hosted by: Kislak Center
In conjunction with the opening of Beautiful Blackbird: The Creative Spirit of Ashley Bryan, this symposium will bring together a range of speakers to reflect on Ashley Bryan's legacy as an artist, teacher, children's book author and illustrator, and citizen of the world, while looking at how his legacy is being moved forward by those inspired and mentored by him.
On Thursday, April 6, celebrate the official opening of the exhibition with a tour led by curator Lynne Farrington, followed by a keynote address by award-winning illustrator, artist, and author Javaka Steptoe.
On Friday, April 7, join us for a full day of panel discussions exploring the following topics:
Registration for the symposium is free and open to the public. The program will be held in person with an option to join virtually. Please register for each day separately and select a virtual or in-person option.
Lynne Farrington
Exhibition Curator and Director of Programs/Senior Curator, Kislak Center
For those not taking the tour, the Coretta Scott King Award Video Tribute to Ashley Bryan will be screened in the Class of 1978 Orrery Pavilion.
Javaka Steptoe
Award-winning illustrator, artist and author
Following a short presentation, Steptoe will engage in conversation with Loraine Ballard Morrill, Director of News and Community Affairs in the Philadelphia Region for iHeart Media.
Javaka Steptoe earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art. He is very committed to children’s education, making appearances at various schools, libraries, museums, and conferences across the country, including the American Library Association, the International Reading Association, and Reading is Fundamental, Inc.
Steptoe's books include the 2017 Caldecott Medal and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner, Radiant Child: The Story of the Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (2016), and his debut work, In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers (1997), which earned him the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, a nomination for Outstanding Children’s Literature Work at the 1998 NAACP Image Awards, a finalist ranking for the Bluebonnet Award for Excellence in Children’s Books, and countless other honors. He illustrated Gary Golio's Jimi: Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix (2010) and Charlotte Zolotow's Do You Know What I'll Do? (2000), as well as many other books for children and young adults.
Jessica Whitelaw, chair
E.B. Lewis (Artistrator and Visual Mentor) about his experiences as an artist and illustrator of children's books, how he approaches each project and what the creative process is like, as well as his work as a Visual Mentor, given the importance of mentoring younger artists and illustrators.
Alison Morris (Senior Director, Title Selection, First Book) on being a buyer in a golden age of children's books - for which Ashley laid the foundation - and how First Book distributes books nationwide to educators and program leaders serving kids in need.
Kirsten Cappy (Executive Director, I’m Your Neighbor Books) on the work of I’m Your Neighbor Books, welcoming and celebrating immigrant communities through books, including Ashley’s.
Mayelin Perez, chair
Vanesse Lloyd-Sgambati (Founder, The African American Children’s Book Project) on how Ashley changed the game in the creation, publication, and dissemination of children’s books relating to African American culture and cultural roots.
Dr. Ebony Elizabeth Thomas (Associate Professor in the Joint Program in English and Education at the University of Michigan’s School of Education) on educating a new generation of educators on children’s literature that explores diversity and cultural heritage.
Sibylla Benatova (Founder and Executive Director, A Book a Day) on the work of A Book a Day, an arts-focused literacy program.
H. Nichols Clark, chair
Daniel Minter (artist and illustrator, co-founder of Indigo Arts Alliance) on examining Ashley’s ripples.
Dr. Jennifer Gross (independent curator) on her Colby College exhibition Ashley Bryan / Paula Wilson: Take the World Into Your Arms.
Ashley Valentine (Art Manager, Pippin Properties) on Ashley's work and it's larger influence, in conjunction with Pippin's work with BIPOC artists/illustrators.
Destiny Crockett, chair
Lynne Farrington (Director of Programs/Senior Curator, Kislak Center, Penn Libraries) on WHY Black Poets.
Karyn Parsons (Founder and President, Sweet Blackberry Foundation) on Ashley and the importance of storytelling.
Jan Spivey Gilchrist (artist, author, and illustrator) on illustrating African American poetry and stories in children’s books.
Confirmed speakers for the symposium include:
Featured image: Ashley Bryan, photograph taken in Germany while studying as a Fulbright scholar, 1957 (Ashley Bryan Papers, Ms. Coll. 1439.34.30).