NEWS RELEASE

November 21, 2008

Media Contact: Alyssa Rosso, Public Relations Coordinator, 253.272.4258
x3002, arosso@TacomaArtMuseum.org

Tacoma Art Museum Welcomes Author/Illustrator David Macaulay to Tacoma
with Two Special Events Focused on Literacy
Book Discussion and Signing with David Macaulay: Tuesday, January 13; 7
pm at Tacoma Public Library and Celebrating Literacy: Saturday, January
17; 12 – 3 pm

(Tacoma, WA) – Original work by David Macaulay, author of The Way Things
Work and the new book The Way We Work, will be on view at Tacoma Art
Museum in David Macaulay: The Way He Works January 17 through June 14,
2009. To mark the start of the exhibition, the museum offers two
programs that focus on Macaulay’s work and on youth literacy.

In mid-January, Macaulay will visit Tacoma to create a site-specific
work at the museum. During his visit, Macaulay will discuss his work in
the Olympic Room at Tacoma Public Library’s Main Branch on Tuesday,
January 13 at 7 pm. Among other topics, he will talk about his most
recent book, The Way We Work: Getting to Know the Amazing Human Body.
Books will be available for sale and signing at the library. The
program is free and registration is not required. Details, directions,
and parking information are available at www.tacomapubliclibrary.org or
253.591.5666.

The museum celebrates the exhibition’s opening day four days later with
readings, art-making activities, performances, and a book drive.
Visitors receive free admission with the donation of a new children’s
book to benefit Page Ahead. The festivities take place from noon to 3 pm
on Saturday, January 17, but the book drive continues through Saturday,
January 31. Macaulay will not be at the January 17 event, but will
return in Spring 2009 for a public program.

Tacoma Art Museum most recently partnered with Page Ahead for the
opening of The Art of Eric Carle in 2006. Page Ahead provides new books
for children and promotes reading activities for youth and families.
More information can be found at www.pageahead.org.

“The illustrations in David’s books are a perfect example of the links
between visual literacy and written literacy,” said Paula McArdle,
Director of Education and Public Programs at Tacoma Art Museum and
co-curator of the exhibition. “Studies show that students who can
decipher the meaning behind an image are better able to translate that
skill into what they read. We strive to help students make those
connections during every visit.”

Macaulay’s books have sold more than three million copies in the United
States alone, and his work has been translated into a dozen languages.
The Way Things Work was on the New York Times bestseller list for fifty
weeks. His many awards include the Caldecott Medal and Honor Awards, the
MacArthur Fellowship, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the Christopher
Award, and the Washington Post-Children’s Book Guild Nonfiction Award.
He was a two-time nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen Award and
received the Bradford Washburn Award, presented by the Museum of Science
in Boston to an outstanding contributor to science.

This exhibition is organized by Tacoma Art Museum with generous
sponsorship provided by Business Internet Services, Sound Family
Medicine, and Propel Insurance.

The Way He Works is the most recent in a series of exhibitions that
highlight Tacoma Art Museum’s dedication to visual literacy. Past
exhibitions in this series have featured work by artists/illustrators
like Eric Carle and Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson, artwork alongside
poetry like the Chuck Close/Bob Holman and Mary Randlett/Denise Levertov
pairings, and artistry of calligraphy and book arts like The Saint
John’s Bible.

Tacoma Art Museum’s Art Resource Center has a wide selection of
Macaulay’s books available to read during museum visits. It is also the
only library in the region to have a complete collection of all of the
Caldecott-winning books.

Tacoma Art Museum’s mission is to connect people through art. The museum
serves the diverse communities of the region through its collection,
exhibitions, and learning programs, emphasizing art and artists from the
Northwest. The museum’s five galleries display an array of top national
shows, the best of Northwest art, creatively themed exhibitions, and
historical retrospectives. In addition, there is an Education Wing for
children, adults, and seniors with an art resource center, classroom,
and studio for art making. Tacoma Art Museum is located near the Museum
of Glass, the Washington State History Museum, and historic Union
Station in Tacoma’s downtown Museum District.

# # #

HOURS – Tuesday – Saturday 10 am – 5 pm, Thursday 10 am – 8 pm, Sunday
12 – 5 pm. Open Mondays Memorial Day through Labor Day.

ADMISSION – Adult $7.50, Student/Military/Senior (65+) $6.50, Family $25
(2 adults and up to 4 children under 18). Children 5 & under free. Third
Thursdays free. Members always free.

CONTACT – 253.272.4258, www.TacomaArtMuseum.org
<http://www.tacomaartmuseum.org/> , info@TacomaArtMuseum.org

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