The campus of University of Findlay was abuzz with child-like excitement recently, as the Mazza Museum’s Summer Conference was held on July 15th through the 17th. The three-day conference where teachers, librarians, and book lovers partake in educational and engaging presentations from some of the top authors and illustrators in the picture book industry, included keynote speakers Jessixa Bagley, Allison Black, R. Gregory Christie, Matthew Cordell, Fred Koehler, Erin Stead, Philip Stead, Emma Virjan and Adam Watkins. For this season’s conference, participants were treated to a wide and wondrous array of presentations, including breakout sessions from Mazza staff, local illustrators, and...

Matthew Reinhart is arguably the most prolific Paper Engineering Artist in the picture book industry. His gravity-defying pop-ups are sought out by the most recognizable brands in the world. From My Little Pony to The Walking Dead, Matthew continues to delight his fans with every turn of the page. When it came time to relocate from New York City to San Francisco, Matthew was left with the daunting task of finding a home for the many original works of art that occupy his studio and storage units. When Matthew reached out to the Mazza Museum for assistance, we were happy to welcome...

At the recent Market Day at the Food Truck lunch in the Marathon Center for the Performing Arts, some Bigelow Hill Intermediate 5th grade students finished the year with an entrepreneurial project with giving back in mind. The students had previously met with various non-profit organizations in Findlay, and then chose non-profits to raise money for by selling student-created, made, and marketed items. This certain group of brilliant little philanthropists chose the Mazza Museum! The students made excellent origami bookmarks for the Market Day event, and also came to the museum and sold their products in the Great Hall before...

The University of Findlay invites the public to celebrate the planned Joseph and Judith Conda STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics/medicine) Education Center addition to the Mazza Museum, thanks in part to generous lead financial donors Joseph and Judith Conda. A ceremony with the Condas, which will include the unveiling of architectural renderings, will be held Wednesday, April 3 at 3 p.m. at the Museum. Joseph “Joe” and Judith Conda’s legacy of investment in quality and sustainable causes has greatly impacted Northwest Ohio residents, including Mazza Museum visitors of all ages who for years have enjoyed original picture book illustrations...

Author/Illustrator, T.L. McBeth, better known as Trenton McBeath, did his hometown proud on Sunday, February 3, as he gave his first Mazza presentation since being published. Trenton spoke about his latest title, Robot in Love, sharing the process from conception of the idea (which started in about 5th grade) to pitching the idea to his publisher, and then finally being a published book. The audience enjoyed learning about Trenton’s journey since he left Findlay to pursue his dream of being an author and illustrator. Trenton has several more books under contract for publishing and looks forward to presenting again at...