University of Findlay’s Mazza Museum will hold its next Funday Sunday event on April 2. The event will be held from 1-3:30 p.m. Unlike previous Funday Sundays, April’s event will be held in the Toledo Zoo’s Promedica Museum of Natural History, and in the Mazza Galleria in that building.

The Funday Sunday program is free, but you will need to pay for entrance into the Toledo Zoo. The family-friendly learning extravaganza is designed to encourage artistic expression, enhance literacy knowledge, develop critical thinking skills, and introduce STEAM activities for the whole family. April’s Funday Sunday will welcome special guest Jim Arnosky. Arnosky will present at 1:30 p.m. and then again at 2:30 p.m.

In Jim Arnosky’s first book, “I Was Born in a Tree and Raised by Bees” (1977), the character Crinkleroot made his debut. The loveable woodsman charmed readers, introducing them to the occupants of his wilderness abode. Today, a quick internet search will demonstrate that Crinkleroot is now more famous than the flower for which he was named.

A self-taught artist, writer, and naturalist, Jim Arnosky has since written and illustrated 132 published books on nature subjects and illustrated 46 other books written by various authors. When Jim is not in his studio, his schedule is largely determined by the wildlife that he chooses to study. He and his wife Deanna travel extensively to the animals’ native habitats to collect references for his books. Deanna photographs the animals, while Jim sketches them.

“Through my study of nature, I have become convinced that every little thing is part of some whole and that if you look closely enough and think well enough, you will recognize the scheme of things. You may even find a place for yourself in that order. I have found my place. It is outdoors near the earth and its waters, near the birds and beasts.”                                                                

                                                                                                                             – Jim Arnosky

Registration is required and will open soon. You can register for April’s event by visiting Mazza online. For more information on Funday Sunday and other Mazza events, visit the Mazza Museum’s Events page. If you have specific questions related to Funday Sunday, please contact Heather Sensel, Mazza Museum education manager, at 419-434-4777 or [email protected].