Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news
Chris Van Allsburg visits The Music Hall Lounge
PORTSMOUTH – On Sunday, July 31, at 2 p.m., Caldecott Medalist and bestselling author of Jumanji and The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg visits The Music Hall Lounge in conjunction with Portsmouth Historical Society’s Imagine That! exhibition.
The event includes a moderated author discussion with Monte Bohanan, The Music Hall’s Director of Communications and Community Engagement, followed by an audience Q&A. It will be held at The Music Hall Lounge at 131 Congress St., in Portsmouth.
“We are so proud to be partnering with Portsmouth Historical Society for this very exciting event!” says Brittany Wason, literary producer at The Music Hall. “Chris Van Allsburg has written and illustrated some of the most well-known children’s books, and we are delighted to host him in The Music Hall Lounge.”
“For Chris, making books is about chasing something in your imagination without worrying what happens when you catch it,” says Nina Maurer, guest curator of the Imagine That! exhibition. “He has enchanted readers with his hauntingly beautiful illustrations for generations. We are thrilled to have his original art in our galleries and to welcome him to The Music Hall’s newest performance space.”
About Imagine That! The Power of Picture Books
Portsmouth Historical Society is a partner for this event, having assembled a collection of extraordinary illustrations for children’s picture books by a “who’s who” of New England illustrators, from Maxfield Parrish and N. C. Wyeth to Robert McCloskey and H. A. Rey, as well as contemporary artists Chris Van Allsburg, Mo Willems, Grace Lin, Tomie dePaola, and more. Over 100 illustrations, including reflections on diversity and inclusion, let children and adults explore the imaginative world of picture books and reading together. The exhibition features a bookmaking station, build-a-house play space, toy theater, and reading nook. Accompanying the exhibition is an impressive “Journey Box” initiative that takes picture books, reading, and bookmaking to local schools, libraries, and underserved families. More information is available at: www.portsmouthhistory.org/imaginethat.
Tickets
The ticket package for Literary in the Lounge: Chris Van Allsburg is $10. Ticket Package includes reserved seat, author conversation, and audience Q&A. Tickets and signed books (a selection is available for purchase) are available online at TheMusicHall.org or through the B2W Box Office over the phone at 603-436-2400.
This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Exhibits, galleries, theater and more: Seacoast arts and culture news
