New York Times Bestselling Author Nathaniel Philbrick to Speak in Hattiesburg
News item published on: 2017-03-07 15:22:54New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award winner, Nathaniel Philbrick, will offer remarks during a special event on Thursday, March 23 at 7 p.m. at Oddfellows Gallery in downtown Hattiesburg. Philbrick will discuss the nature of his artistic collaboration with artist Wendell Minor, his body of work and take questions from the audience. The event is part of the exhibit Wendell Minor’s America: 25 Years of Children’s Book Art. The exhibit will be open prior to the event at 6:30 p.m. for viewing with a book signing to follow the lecture.
In 2000, Philbrick published the New York Times bestseller, In the Heart of the Sea, which won the National Book Award for nonfiction. The book was the basis of the 2015 movie of the same title directed by Ron Howard and inspired a 2001 Dateline special on NBC as well as the 2010 PBS American Experience film “Into the Deep” by Ric Burns. Since then, he has published numerous New York Times bestselling historical, non-fiction works. Wendell Minor illustrated Ben’s Revolution: Benjamin Russell and the Battle of Bunker Hill and Revenge of the Whale: The True Story of the Whaleship Essex for Philbrick.
“I’m looking forward to talking about how Wendell Minor and I came to work on Ben’s Revolution. I’ll be discussing our process and the challenges of bringing to visual life a true story from the American Revolution. I’ll be referring to images from the book so attendees will get a sneak peek at Ben’s Revolution several months before publication,” says Philbrick of his upcoming lecture in Hattiesburg.
Minor is the cover artist and designer of over two thousand books for Nathaniel Philbick, Pat Conroy, David McCullough, Fannie Flagg and many others. His portrait of Truman for the cover of David McCullough’s book is in the permanent collection of the National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC.
Minor is nationally known for the artwork he has created for over fifty award-winning children’s books. His many collaborators include Jean Craighead George, Robert Burleigh, Buzz Aldrin, Tony Johnston, Mary Higgins Clark, and last but not least, his wife Florence. In 2009 Wendell and Florence’s If You Were a Penguin, was chosen by Pennsylvania for their “One Book, Every Young Child” 2009 early literacy program, and they enjoyed the month they spent speaking to children in Pennsylvania’s libraries, schools, Head Start facilities, and Museums.
Wendell Minor’s America features over 150 original works by award-winning illustrator, Wendell Minor, at an exhibit from March 2 through May 14 at Oddfellows Gallery. These pieces are part of a traveling exhibit organized by Norman Rockwell Museum, Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
Additional Exhibition-Related Programs and Events
Children’s Book Festival 50th Anniversary Reception with Wendell Minor
Thursday, April 7, 5 – 7 p.m.
Oddfellows Gallery
The public is invited to attend the closing reception for the 50th Fay B. Kaigler Children’s Book Festival at Oddfellows Gallery. Wendell Minor will be the guest of honor and will offer remarks during the reception.
Educators’ Seminar, Professional Development for Teachers and Librarians
Presented by Sarah Campbell, author and photo-illustrator
Friday, April 21, 9 a.m – 3 p.m.
Oddfellows Gallery
Teachers and librarians who want to infuse their lessons with nature, photography, and book-making, and teach nonfiction writing and photography, are invited to attend this one-day seminar. Continuing Education Units (CEU) will be available. The cost is $20 to attend and lunch will be provided. To register visit www.lib.usm.edu/wendellminor.
Wendell Minor’s America will take visitors on a journey through history, from sea to shining sea, reflecting on the artist’s love of our country’s varied landscape and a deep respect for the environment. For more information about the exhibit and events, contact the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at 601.266.4349 or visit www.lib.usm.edu/wendellminor.