The Cape Ann Reads inaugural reception celebrating original children’s picture books by local artists and writers was held at City Hall in Gloucester, Massachusetts, January 27, 2018. Linda Bosselman of Sawyer Free Library was the official photographer for the packed event and she captured all its positive energy and people. An upcoming group exhibition featuring these participants will travel to the four Cape Ann communities. As you can see from the celebration pictures, the touring exhibition and its related receptions and readings will be worth a visit! Cape Ann Reads is an initiative by the four public libraries of Cape Ann.

The Cape Ann Reads reception and awards ceremony opened  in style – thanks to the red-ribbon cutting courtesy of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce and Ken Riehl.

Portraits of the artists and writers

City Hall is a gorgeous venue for an art fair. Linda photographed all the local artists and writers at their individual picture book display booths. Effort was high. Kind friends manned booths for participants who were unable to attend: Ashley was there for Steven Kennedy and Victoria Petway, and Sinikka Nogelo represented Gail and James Seavey.

Welcome

Awards ceremony program began with a warm welcome of support for the arts from Mayor Romeo Theken and opening remarks by the Library Directors and special dignitaries

Jurors

Deliberations were held at Cape Ann Museum and Beauport Hotel.

Cape Ann Reads convened a nine member selection panel that included representatives from each of the public libraries: Justine Vitale Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Public Library; Carol Bender, former Children’s and Teen Librarian,  Rockport Public Library (now at Manchester); Kate Strong Stadt, former Head of Youth Services, Manchester-By-The-Sea Public Library; Ann Cowman, Young Adult Librarian, Manchester-By-The-Sea Public Library; and April Wanner, Assistant Librarian at the TOHP Burnham Library, Essex.  Joining these talented library staff members were three artists and award winning children’s book author-illustrators: Pat Lowery Collins; Giles Laroche; and Anna Vojtech. Bob Ritchie proprietor of Dogtown Book Shop provided another crucial area of book world expertise. Cape Ann Reads is grateful for their time and considerable talents to help the participants and the process.

Each library and the Cape Ann Museum designated one child representative for the second jury — a thoughtful panel of children: Eli Porter, Alycia Hogan Lopez, John Recroft, Lucas Rodi, and Josie West. They put in tremendous effort to read every entry, prepare notes, and come together for discussion. They were tasked with close reading and instructions to let us know any books that were favorites or that they wanted to compliment. Several came to assist the event as junior staff.

 

Awards presentation – Cape Ann Reads Gulliver, Honor and Medal books

Cape Ann Reads Medal Book received: Citation, trophy designed by Jason Burroughs, Bruce J Anderson Juror Selection, and grand prize 1st edition printing valued up to $10,000

• “The Tree In Dock Square,” written by Jean Woodbury and illustrated by Bonnie L. Sylvester

Cape Ann Reads Honor Books received: Citation, trophy designed by Jason Burroughs, and Bruce J Anderson Juror Selection and $200**

• “Let’s Go! Animal Tracks in the Snow,” written by Diane Polley and illustrations by Marion Hall
• “Why does my dog sniff other dogs’ butts? (and other important questions),” written and illustrated by Mary Rhinelander
• “Faraway Grammie,” written by Maura Wadlinger

Cape Ann Reads Gulliver books received: Citation, Bruce J Anderson Selection and $100*

• ***”The Prince of Winter,” written by Martha Shaw Geraghty and illustrated by John Plunkett
• ***”Jimbo and His Mustache,” written by Steven Kennedy and illustrated by Victoria Petway
• ***”The Best Way Home,” written and illustrated by Barbara McLaughlin
• “Beauty on the Wing,” written and illustrated by Kim Smith
• “Bike’s Big Adventure,” written by Charles King and illustrated by Alexia Parker
• “Henrietta’s Moon Egg,” written and illustrated by Claire Wyzenbeek
• “If I were a Moose,” written by James McKenna and illustrated by Juni Van Dyke
• “Above Water: Three Flood Stories, Four Faiths,” written by Gail Seavey and illustrated by James Seavey
• “Where in the World is Catherine Abigail,” written by Michael LaPenna and illustrated by Leslie Galacar
• “Small Elephant or Small One,” written by Kirsten Allenbrook Wiberg and illustrated by Betty Allenbrook Wiberg
• “Pumpkin Carving,” written by George King and illustrated by Alexia Parker

*Bruce J Anderson Juror Selection = participation in group exhibition and $100 prize (Thanks to Bruce J Anderson Family Foundation, Cape Ann Reads purchased gift certificates from Cape Ann Chamber for the dollar value of the award)

**Bruce J Anderson Juror Selection = participation in group exhibition and $200 prize (Thanks to Bruce J Anderson Family Foundation, Cape Ann Reads purchased gift certificates from Cape Ann Chamber for the dollar value of the award)

***Received Cape Ann Reads Kids compliment certificate

Jason Burroughs trophies

Beautiful custom fine art trophies sculpted by Jason Burroughs for the Cape Ann Reads Honor and Medal books.

Pop up

The Book Store of Gloucester set up shop on site. They brought legacy and contemporary books by Cape Ann writers and artists.

Reception

Thanks to Cake Ann, Alexandras, Cape Ann Coffees, and  Sarah Collins, Glen and Pauline Bresnahan, and Jeff’s Variety

Set up

 

Floorplan and program

I enjoyed designing the floorplan. Thanks to Mayor Romeo Theken, stunning Kyrouz Auditorium was the glorious venue for all these incredible Cape Ann Reads participating artists and writers. The essential and uniform tables were lent by The Friends of Sawyer Free Library. The program for the celebration was designed by Kate Bresnahan.

Photographs for this post were taken by Linda Bosselman. I’ve included a few additional photographs from Pauline Bresnahan and Cliff King; they also helped set up the event.

Cape Ann Reads participants created special coloring pages based on their books  – here’s a link to some of these free activity sheets. They were a hit at the party! T-shirts are for sale at the libraries and Cape Ann Museum.