Congratulations Julia Donaldson

Congratulations to Julia Donaldson who has inherited the title of Children's Laureate from Anthony Browne and taken on the mantle of this prestigious accolade. In his farewell speech Tony Browne gave an engaging account of his time, and the many events and travels that he undertook during his two years. We are sad to see him relinquish the title, but have much enjoyed adding our own contribution to his laureateship with events, book launches and exhibitions here at the gallery.

We look forward to the next two years with the effervescent Julia Donaldson, who will bring an equal share of enthusiasm, energy and committment to her stewardship. It is excellent news that we have two laureates in a row that are so closely connected to picture books and we wish Julia every success in the time ahead.

Edward Ardizzone - Huckleberry Finn and other work

It is with great pleasure that we present our Spring exhibition featuring the work of the great artist and illustrator Edward Ardizzone.

In a somewhat unique exhibition we show the entire suite of drawing for Huckleberry Finn by Tom Sawyer, published by Heinemann Educational Books in 1961. These classic black ink drawings show Ardizzone working at his est, and the entire suite represents a formidable collection and a rare opportunity for any serious collector or institution to acquire.

Read more bout the amazing story behind this collection in The Guardian at www.guardian.co.uk/books/2011/may/12/edward-ardizzone-illustrations-huckleberry-finn

Booktrust Ten Best New Illustrators Award

We were delighted to host a reception for the Booktrust Ten Best New Illustrators Award which was announced on Tuesday evening, and offer a hearty congratulations to the winners.

There was a packed house of the great and the good from the publishing world here at the gallery to witness the announcement, and applaud as awards were distributed to the winners. Anthony Browne, current Children's Laureate, spoke inspiringly about the good work that Booktrust performs for the promotion of reading and literature, and Lauren Child followed up by congratulating the winners and reminding us all that this final selection by no means excluded the hundred or so other writers and artists who had entered this competition and that in this game there are no losers.

The party ran late in to the evening with lavish hospitality from Booktrust adding to the warmth of a lovely sunny spring night as guests spilled out on to the street in a carnival-like atmosphere of celebration. Further details can be found on Booktrust website as follows: www.booktrust.org.uk

Toucan and Friends - Romi Behrens

The first quarter of the year is always an interesting time for us here at the gallery as we move from the old and in to the new. As well as our annual spring cleaning, it is a time to host different events, exhibitions and show work of a different nature. As such we are delighted to present the oils paintings by Romi Behrens.

Inspired by her native coastal Cornwall Romi has for five decades been at the heart of the contemporary Cornish school. Inspired by the traditions of Park, Wood, the Nicholsons, Hilton, Lanyon and a close friend of the late Patrick Heron Romi's work reflects the depth and warmth of this rich British cultural heritage. Basing this suite of paintings around an antique South American totem that has been a lucky charm in her studio for many years these pictures have all the colour and brightness welcome during the final days of winter.

Best known for her portraits the collection also includes a number of smaller sketches for which she is so well known and for which she was recently the subject of a single artist retrospective at the Royal Cornwall Museum. Selected by Country Life magazine as one of the exhibitions to see this month we are anticipating the blast of the horn and the cry of the hunt to resound along Bury St. at any time ...

Shaun Tan at The Oscars

The 83rd Annual Academy Awards ceremony approaches and a hearty congratulations to Shaun Tan who with Andrew Ruhemann has been nominated for Best Short Film (Animated) for The Lost Thing.

As well as being one of the most charming people to have crossed the threshold of the gallery Shaun is also an exciting and innovative artistic talent, whose careers moves from strength to strength. With a truly international following this nomination for an Oscar is a testament to his artistic vision and we will be supporting wholeheartedly on Sunday night for victory.
We are delighted that Shaun will be back with us at the gallery this August and look forward to hosting an event and exhibition of his work and the new book, The Bird King, published by Templar this April. Shaun will be at the gallery to sign books, the date is to be confirmed. Watch this space.

Shaun is pictured here, at his previous event at Illustrationcupboard, chatting with Shirley Hughes.

Falmouth Illustration Retrospective

The beginning of the new year always sees us hosting a guest exhibition here at the gallery, and this February was no exception. Welcoming Falmouth Illustration we were delighted to host the alumni of this esteemed and greatly respected degree course. Curated by Alan Male, resident professor of illustration, the exhibition hosted an array of past BA students, all now leading fruitful and successful careers within this field. A buzzing evening reception saw old friends and new reunited, and highlighted above all the the enduring success and popularity of this degree course which has set on the road many bright and sharp-eyed talents. We wish Alan and his colleagues further victories at Falmouth and look forward to another visit from them in the near future.

Escaping to Wonderland

Escape to Wonderland at The Lightbox:

As we wave farewell to the sleepy days of summer, we usher in an exciting new term with fresh events and exhibitions. To complement the Indian Summer congratulations are due to The Lightbox, a leading regional public art gallery that has recently opened its extensive, comprehensive and thoroughly enjoyable exhibition of the history of picture book illustration.

Embracing work from the great names of the nineteenth century to many of our modern and contemporary classic books it includes many of our very own Illustrationcupboard artists, and offers a definite overview of the achievements to be found in this field of artistic and literary accomplishment. Director Marilyn Scott and her team have pulled together a broad range of original artwork appealling to both collectors as well as families in general. There is also an extensive range of workshops, illustrators' lectures, book signings and other events for which tickets are going fast! Entrance to the exhibition is free, and lunch at the excellent gallery cafe to be heartily recommended. For more details visit the website at www.thelightbox.org.uk and escape off to Wonderland ...