SCBWI-NM Enchantment Show

On May 3rd, SCNWI-NM celebrated the reception event for our first (hopefully annual) Enchantment Show at the Los Griegos Library in Albuquerque. Here's a little more about the show from our Press Release:

A magical art and writing exhibit for children of all ages, Enchantment, will be on view during the month of May at the Los Griegos Library in Albuquerque.  This unique show features collaborative pieces by members of the New Mexico Chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. For a fun creative turnabout, the illustrations in the show were completed first by the participating artists.  After the illustrations were complete, the writers crafted their pieces, taking inspiration fromthe art. The alchemy of these combined talents on display promises to make for a truly bewitching experience.
“The concept for the Enchantment show stems from an event that was originally put on by the SCBWI folks in Greece. We really wanted to focus on a project that could include all our members, both writers and illustrators,” explained Melinda Beavers, Illustration Coordinator for SCBWI-NM, regarding the impetus for the show.
“Illustrators started the ball rolling by creating a single illustration based on the theme of Enchantment. The digitally submitted illustrations were then randomly paired and sent to the participating writers, who have written a single page story based on the illustration they received. It's a twist from the way traditional publishing works, where illustrators are usually brought in to illustrate a story that's already been written,” said Beavers.
All of the original illustrations and the stories created in response to them will be exhibited together throughout the month of May at the Los Griegos Library.  The opportunity to show work created for children in a library setting was a perfect fit for SCBWI-NM.  “SCBWI is a group that supports and encourages the people creating literature for children, so it only makes sense to hold a collaborative show of illustrations and written pieces for children at one of our local libraries,” explained Beavers.  “It's just a great way to share what we all do with the local community that will appreciate it most!”
SCBWI-NM, the local chapter of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, is aninternational non-profit organization that serves as a support for professional creatives in the children’s literature field and provides a means to network with editors, publishers, agents, librarians, educators, booksellers and others involved with literature for young people. The New Mexico chapter brings together local authors and illustrators for regular events including monthly meetings, called Schmoozes, critique groups, and illustrator meetings. In addition they host workshops, craft building retreats, and this year will host a semi-annual regional conference in October.
Beavers says the group hopes to keep the spirit of collaboration rolling. “This show is a new experience for us and we’re hoping to make it a regular NM event.”  Enchantment will be on display Tuesday through Saturday during regular library hours through May 31st.

Show Organizers: SCBWI Illustrator Coordinator Melinda Beavers (me!),
Mary Sundstrom and Bonnie Bryant

Quite the turnout: Reception Mingling

We made the paper! 

 

A library patron peruses the show.

Most of the participants of the show were able to attend the reception. Many paired writers and illustrators got to meet for the first time. Personally, it was quite an experience to see and read the story that my piece inspired… overall it was very interesting to hear about some of the corrugations between the writers and illustrators thoughts behind their own creations.

It was a fun project and so exciting to see it all come together so nicely. I really do hope to make this an annual event for our region.