ASHLEY BRYAN
Storyteller and children’s book illustrator Ashley Bryan was artist-in-residence for a month in January/February 1999. Bryan had been in the process of creating a series of illustrations for a translation of Biblical stories by an African storyteller, and so explored the collection and sketched works of art with religious themes.

While in residence, Bryan was an active participant in the School Partnership Program. He collaborated with two third-grade teachers (one from the Lawrence School, the other from the Tobin School) to explore poetry, literature, and art with their students. After reading some of his work in advance, students explored the Museum with Bryan and wrote their own poems in response. Bryan then visited each classroom and continued their dialogue about the importance of the voice.

Bryan also gave two free storytelling performances at the Museum in February 1999. Flyers were sent to the classrooms of our partnering schools, and the crowds that came to hear Bryan were wonderfully diverse, representing both the Museum’s membership and the local community.