The Pursuit of Everything: Maira Kalman's Books for Children

The Pursuit of Everything presents a colorful panorama of Maira Kalman’s picture-book career. Perhaps best known for her quirky New Yorker covers and as a pioneering visual journalist for The New York Times, Kalman has also published 18 acclaimed children’s books. She illustrates the comic adventures of Max Stravinsky, the dog-poet in Max Makes a Million (1990), and the escapades of a gluttonous canine named Pete in What Pete Ate from A-Z ("Really!") (2001). The exhibition features Kalman’s kaleidoscopic paintings from Next Stop Grand Central (1999) alongside illustrations from her recent publications Beloved Dog (2015) and Cake (2018). Kalman addresses important historical figures and events in Looking at Lincoln (2012), Bold & Brave: Ten Heroes Who Won Women the Right to Vote (2018), and the 9/11-inspired Fireboat: The Heroic Adventures of the John J. Harvey (2002). Balancing the ridiculous and the profound, Kalman’s beautifully crafted paintings and witty word play delight audiences of all ages.

The Pursuit of Everything is curated by Jane Bayard Curley. It premiered at the High Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA (June 22 – September 15, 2019).

This exhibition is made possible with generous support from Penguin Young Readers and Random House Children's Books. 

Under the Sea with Eric Carle

Dive in for an underwater adventure! This exhibition showcases original art from 11 Eric Carle picture books, including his popular titles A House for Hermit Crab (1987) and Mr. Seahorse (2004). See penguins in arctic waters and jellyfish in tropical seas, along with playful dolphins, seals, turtles, and whales. Also on view are Carle’s illustrations of mythological sea creatures—mermaids, leviathans, and the legendary kraken. A reading rowboat and an immersive puppet stage provide inspiration for creative play.

This exhibition is made possible through the generous support of the Hsin-Yi Foundation.

Exhibition design by Katie Craig. 

Now & Then: Contemporary Illustrators and their Childhood Art

Will you grow up to be an artist? Co-curators Grace Lin and Jarrett J. Krosoczka honor childhood creativity in the exhibition Now & Then, in which they display artists’ childhood drawings next to their published illustrations. The pairings inspire young visitors to make connections to their current creations—and future potential. In addition to Grace and Jarrett, the featured artists are Cece Bell, Nidhi Chanani, Jason Chin, The Fan Brothers, Julie Flett, Jeff Kinney, Elisa Kleven, Barbara Lehman, Rafael López, Oge Mora, Juana Martinez-Neal, Raúl the Third, Shadra Strickland, Don Tate, Evan Turk, and Tillie Walden.

This exhibition is curated by Grace Lin and Jarrett J. Krosoczka.

Ireland's Eye: Picture Book Views of Ireland

An exhibition of digital reproductions

While the music and literature of Ireland have reached audiences worldwide, few of the country’s picture book are known beyond its shores. Ireland’s Eye highlights the traditions, stories, and landscapes of Ireland, and the unending inspiration artists have found on the island nation.

Curated by Elizabeth Goldrick, 2019 Trinkett Clark Intern