Downtown Abilene will be transformed into the imaginative world of Dr. Seuss June 14-17, 2012. The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council is coordinating the first Children’s Art & Literacy Festival (dubbed the “CALF” festival), featuring Dr. Seuss. The idea for the weekend long festival emanated from The National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL) exhibition of the original illustrations from The Lorax, slated for June 1–Aug. 31. The Center for Contemporary Arts, wishing to enhance this Seussian experience, will host The Art of Dr. Seuss – A Retrospective. Along with these two exhibitions, downtown will be the site for the Touring Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden.
But don’t let the name Dr. Seuss fool you into thinking this weekend is just for children. The Retrospective exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the artistic life of a celebrated American icon. On display at The Center for Contemporary Arts will be 32 historical panels featuring more than 200 images and rare items, such as photographs, advertising artwork, and original materials—telling the story of Geisel’s art and life chronologically. Through the medium of large scale bronze sculpture, the Touring Dr. Seuss Sculpture Garden allows kids at heart from 2 to 92 to experience an in-depth look at six of the most beloved characters created over Theodore Seuss Geisel’s 70-year career. Downtown has opened their doors to host these unique bronze creations, which include The Cat in the Hat, The Grinch Who Stole Christmas, Green Eggs and Ham’s Sam-I-Am, Yertle the Turtle, Horton the Elephant, and Seuss’s groundbreaking environmental book, The Lorax.
In addition to these exhibits, historic downtown Abilene itself is open for exploration, as dramatic presentations unfold from eight of Dr. Seuss’ favorite books. Visitors can meet the famous characters and watch Dr. Seuss movies for free at The Historic Paramount Theatre. There will also be a Dr. Seuss-inspired street fair. Downtown will be transformed into a festival with booths for games, art activities, and great food.
Attendees can spend the weekend visiting with local vendors, trying some Seussian food and having a frolic in the kids play area behind Frontier Texas! Other special activities include a Green Eggs and Ham reading and brunch on Saturday at Cypress Street Station and a Hop on Pop reading and picnic on Sunday at the Abilene Zoo for Father’s Day.
To register for the festival and for more information, go to www.abilenecac.org/calf.
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