Have you ever been curious about the art and artists behind children's books? Did you know that there's an annual festival in East Nashville just for local children's book authors and artists?
The poster for the very first Proto Pulp Book Show that took place in 2009. This year will mark the 7th Proto Pulp Book Festival in East Nashville!
Join me this Saturday, September 17th from 11-6 at the Idea Hatchery in East Nashville for the 7th Annual Proto Pulp Book Show! Proto Pulp features first time writers as well as a few veteran children's book illustrators and authors. The focus of the show is children's books and also includes original artwork from local artists.
"This year also welcomes back Pulp FriCTION, an open aire, bare stage theatre which will feature four 10-minute original short plays by Middle Tennessee playwrights in repertory from 10-5 just behind Art & Invention Gallery. Just actors, words, and action--- like Shakespeare did it! Come early, come late, come anytime, and stay for all four plays. Kids are welcome, too!"
My current children's book, (and first ever printed artist book, mind you) is in progress and tentatively titled, A Medieval style Abcedarium and Endangered Species Bestiary. Each letter and animal will be carved out of linoleum and printed on an antique letterpress. Prints of the first blocks, "A" and "Giant Armadillo" will be for sale this weekend! This is a book that will be years in the making, but is one that can be used not only for learning the alphabet, but also about endangered, extinct, and threatened species. Did I mention, when it's finished it'll also be a coloring book?!
My first 2 blocks for the Abecedarium/Bestiary, "A" and "Giant Armadillo." Prints of these two blocks will be available this weekend!
A little more about Proto Pulp by founder & local artist and children's book author, Julie M. Sola:
"Proto Pulp was created to help budding writers and illustrators set a goal to complete their children's books, that for various reasons never got past the idea stage. A few fellow printmakers and I set a show date, which gave us all a deadline. It encouraged us to dust off those old projects and make it happen. We have had many talented artists show with us, some have gone on to write many more books. It just took getting over the initial hurdle to see that this is not impossible. Past artists and myself are happy to share our insights and resources to help new artists get started."
For more information, follow the event on the Proto Pulp Book Show Facebook page!
Come join us! Bring the little-uns, bring crayons, bring your inner child & help us celebrate local children's book art at the 7th Annual Proto Pulp Book Show!