The NWT Centennial Library in Hay River was very lucky to have a visit from the acclaimed French Canadian illustrator, Geneviève Després, during the 2016 TD Canada Children's Book Week. She gave a workshop on the process of illustration, using one of her books.
Participants’ reactions to the presentation stood out for me. People listened with great interest and watched with enthusiasm as the artist demonstrated how she painted her popular Little Knight character, from the book, The Little Knight Who Battled Monsters. It was truly amazing to see the arts celebrated that night and a good reminder of the importance of artist tours in northern communities.
This contact with the Canadian arts scene connects people of all ages to future hobbies, Canadian arts, and for some, a potential career. The presentations that I have seen have had a lasting effect on many students and community members by increasing their enthusiasm for the arts and providing insight into the creative and publishing process. Both young and old often fondly remember past presentations.
For many library patrons, these events create interest in artists they might otherwise not have heard of. This can lead to increased circulation of the authors’ materials, and to readers discovering a new favourite book. This style of tour connects readers with top Canadian content, especially when we lack larger libraries, bookstores or other opportunities open to larger, urban communities.
These tours are important for the artists as well. For many authors and illustrators this is their first time in the north, and often these tours result in strong positive connections. These connections have turned into return visits and important personal and professional relationships. For example, children's author, Robert Munsch, based a few books on places and people from the north as a result of book tours here.
So the next time an author or illustrator comes to your local library or school, go!
Good attendance numbers make it a lot easier to bring more amazing talent to the north. The artists not only attend your library, but also often visit schools and colleges, having a lasting positive effect on communities. Besides, I have yet to attend a presentation where I wasn’t entertained.
Happy Reading!
-- Craig Edwards
Thanks to Craig Edwards, the Program Librarian at the NWT Centennial Library for this guest blog. Please contact us at nwtliteracy@nwtliteracy.ca if you want to submit a guest blog.
