Memories

Over fifteen years ago we made our move to Abilene, TX, a city in which I would watch my children grow, develop life-long friendships, and learn to call my home. Starting out as a volunteer at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL), a museum exhibiting picture book art, I was soon hired as part of the staff. I served as the Director of Exhibitions & Education Programming. During my tenure, I worked with award-winning picture book artists in various capacity, including as a co-curator for several retrospectives, most notably, ‘Our Voice: Celebrating the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Awards.’ I successfully spearheaded multi-faceted projects in which I presented potential artists and exhibition ideas to the selection committee and did write-ups for exhibition-related materials and press releases. In addition, I designed exhibition-related print pieces—such as announcements, brochures, bookmarks, banners, created exhibition related programming, and gave creative direction the NCCIL’s website renovation project. Fortunate to have worked with, and be inspired, by some of the best in the publishing industry, there was no greater joy for me than to be an ambassador between the artist and the community.