Update: Atkins Library hosted a discussion with Gail Haley and Mark West on November 8, 2021. View recording.
Atkins library invites the campus and community to a talk, an art workshop, and an exhibit focused on the life and artistry of Gail E. Haley.
About Gail Haley
In 1971, Haley won the Caldecott Medal, awarded by the American Library Association, for her children’s book, A Story A Story. Still beloved by children and valued by educators 50 years later, the book retells the West African folktale of Anansi the spider and how he stole stories from the Sky God to give them to humans. In 1976, Haley was awarded England’s Kate Greenaway medal for her book, The Post Office Cat, making her the only illustrator to have the distinction of winning both of these prestigious awards for children's literature. Haley continues to be renowned for her mastery of both storytelling and illustration using traditional wood and linoleum cuts as well as paint.
Haley was born in Charlotte in 1939 and grew up in Shuffletown, a township just north of the city. Her father, an art director for the Charlotte Observer, and her mother, also an artist, played a major role in her becoming an author and illustrator. She self-published her first book, My Kingdom for a Dragon, in 1962. To date she has written over 40 books and her interests have steered her to costume design, puppetry, and further into children’s literacy.
About the exhibit and events
- An exhibit on the ground floor of Atkins Library will display materials from the library’s Gail Haley collection, featuring artwork from of A Story, A Story: October 15th-November 29th, 2021
- A linoleum-cutting workshop in the Makerspace of the library’s Area 49: November 3, 1-3 pm. Participation is limited, so please register.
- A virtual discussion with Gail Haley and Professor of English Mark West: November 8, 4-5:30 pm. Register.
--Adreonna Bennett