University of Findlay's Mazza Museum

{{Short description|Art museum in Ohio, United States}} {{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} {{infobox museum |name= University of Findlay's Mazza Museum |image= Mazza Museum.jpg |image_size= |caption =  |established= 1982 |location= The University of Findlay <br>Findlay, Ohio, USA |type= |visitors= |director= Benjamin E. Sapp |curator= Dan Chudzinski<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mazzamuseum.org/ufs-mazza-museum-announces-curator-deputy-director/|title = UF's Mazza Museum Announces New Curator and Deputy Director|date = 20 November 2015}}</ref> |website = {{URL|www.mazzamuseum.org/}} |coordinates = {{coord|41.0537|-83.65336|display=inline,title|format=dms|type:edu_region:US-OH}} |logo= |map_type= |former_name= }}

The '''University of Findlay's Mazza Museum''', formerly the '''Mazza Museum of International Art from Picture Books''', is an [[art museum]] located at [[The University of Findlay]] in [[Findlay, Ohio]]. It is devoted to illustrations from [[children's literature|children's]] [[picture books]].

==History== The museum dates from the 100th anniversary of [[Findlay College]] in 1982. Each academic division in the school was given $2,000 to create a special event for the year. Dr. Jerry Mallett in the Teacher Education division proposed starting a collection of children's book artwork and periodically bringing an important creator of children's books to speak. "I thought it would be nice to have something, not just for that year, but something permanent that would benefit the institution, the community and our majors on a permanent basis."<ref name="Mazza">[http://www.findlay.edu/offices/resources/mazza/generalinformation/history.htm "History of the Mazza Museum"]. The University of Findlay. Retrieved 2008-02-14. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060912084324/http://www.findlay.edu/offices/resources/mazza/generalinformation/history.htm |date=September 12, 2006 }}</ref>

Expenses quickly surpassed the $2,000 grant but a donation by Findlay alumni August and Aleda Mazza allowed the museum to be established.

In 2017, the museum held an exhibition at the [[National Academy of Sciences]] in Washington DC featuring artwork from their collection that featured science and math.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/new-exhibition-explores-science-and-math-childrens-book-illustrations-180962389/|title=A New Exhibition Explores the Science and Math in Children's Book Illustrations|last=Fessenden|first=Marissa|date=March 7, 2017|website=Smithsonianmag.com|access-date=December 18, 2017}}</ref>

A "mini" Mazza Museum opened in 2019 at the [[Toledo Zoo & Aquarium|Toledo Zoo]], located on the second floor of the ProMedica Museum of Natural History, and features nature, animal and zoo-themed art from picture books.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Museum – The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium |url=https://www.toledozoo.org/museum |access-date=2022-11-22 |language=en-US}}</ref>

A [[PBS]] documentary premiered in November 2022, showcasing the 40-year history of the museum. "The Magic of Mazza" was created by WBGU-PBS.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mazza |url=https://www.wbgu.org/mazza/ |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=WBGU-PBS |language=en}}</ref>

==Collection== The Mazza Museum has grown from four pieces valued at $1,700 to more than 18,000 original illustrations.<ref name="Mazza"/> It has hosted over 300 book artists, authors and experts.<ref name="Visit">[http://www.findlay.edu/offices/resources/mazza/visitingartists/default.htm "Visiting Artists – Mazza Museum"]. The University of Findlay. Retrieved 2008-02-14. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060912084632/http://www.findlay.edu/offices/resources/mazza/visitingartists/default.htm |date=September 12, 2006 }}</ref> The museum's collection includes original works by [[Steven Kellogg]], [[Patricia Polacco]], [[Ted Rand]], [[Jan Brett]], [[Eric Carle]], Theodor Geisel ([[Dr. Seuss]]), [[Tomie dePaola]], [[Tomi Ungerer]], [[Willi Glasauer]], [[Hans Wilhelm]], and many others.<ref>{{cite web|title=Artists|url=http://www.mazzamuseum.org/art/artists/|website=mazzamuseum.org|publisher=Mazza Museum|access-date=17 August 2015}}</ref> Artists' honors include the [[Caldecott Medal]], the [[Newbery Medal]], the [[Golden Kite Award]], and the [[Kate Greenaway Medal]].

==Affiliation== The University of Findlay offers a Bachelor of Arts degree with an [[academic major]] in Children's Book Illustration.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Illustration {{!}} University of Findlay |url=https://www.findlay.edu/arts-humanities-social-sciences/art/childrens-book-illustration |access-date=2022-11-22 |website=www.findlay.edu}}</ref> Students awarded this degree complete an internship at the Mazza Museum.<ref>The University of Findlay Art Curriculum.</ref>

==References== {{reflist|25em}}

==External links== {{Portal |Children's literature |Visual arts}} * {{official website |https://www.mazzamuseum.org/}} *[https://www.mazzamuseum.org/education/adult/conferences/ Mazza Summer Conference]

[[Category:Art museums and galleries in Ohio]] [[Category:University museums in Ohio]] [[Category:Museums in Hancock County, Ohio]] [[Category:Children's book illustrators|+]] [[Category:Children's literature organizations]] [[Category:Literary museums in the United States]] [[Category:Art museums and galleries established in 1982]] [[Category:1982 establishments in Ohio]] [[Category:University of Findlay]]