(Milwaukee, WI) From October 11 - December 29, 2002, the Haggerty Museum of Art, Marquette University, will present Virginia Lee Burton: Children's Book Illustrator, Author and Designer featuring original artwork from several of Burton's books. The exhibition will open with a talk at 6 p.m. at Helfaer Theater by Barbara Elleman, author and Distinguished Scholar of Children's Literature at Marquette University. A reception at 7 p.m. at the Haggerty Museum follows the presentation. The exhibition is organized in conjunction with the Marquette University School of Education's Children's Literature Conference, Yesterday's Classics/Today's Favorites, held on October 12.

Best known for the ever popular Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and the Caldecott Medal winner The Little House, Burton (1909-1968) wrote and illustrated stories that have been entertaining children, parents and grandparents for more than sixty years. She began her work in children's books soon after her sons were born in the 1930s. Several of her books feature characters whose lives are affected by changing technology and lifestyles. Burton learned to adjust to life's ups and downs, injecting this theme into the plots of her books in subtle but thoughtful ways. While her stories are written for children, their themes resound through minds of adults.

The exhibition will include pen and ink sketches, crayon drawings and watercolor illustrations from Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel, Calico the Wonder Horse, Choo Choo, The Emperor's New Clothes, Maybelle the Cable Car and The Little House. In addition to her work as a writer and illustrator, Burton was the founder of the Folly Cove Designers, a guild of professional artisans known for block printed textiles and designs. Examples of her work with the group will be on display.

Burton's illustrations convey her sense of humor and extraordinary talent for developing believable characters. She is especially effective in the portrayal of movement. The exhibition will also show how her work evolved over the years represented by multiple editions of her books.

Lenders for this exhibition include the San Francisco and Boston Public Libraries, special collections and the Universities of Oregon and Minnesota, Free Library of Philadelphia, Sawyer Public Library and the Cape Ann Historical Association.

Accompanying the exhibition, several events and educational programs will take place. Marquette University's School of Education will hold a Children's Literature Conference, entitled "Yesterday's Classics-Today's Favorites" on October 12. The conference ends with a reception and book signing by author Barbara Elleman, 4:30 - 6 p.m. at the Haggerty Museum. The publication of Elleman's book, Virginia Lee Burton: A Life in Art (Houghton Mifflin), coincides with the exhibition opening. Elleman will be in residence October 23-25 and November 11-13 to lead tours for school groups and read from Burton's books. She will be reading passages from her book on October 24 at 6 p.m. at the Museum as well. For more information on the Children's Literature Conference, contact Carol Stachewicz at 414/288-7376. To arrange a tour with Barbara Elleman, contact Lynne Shumow at the Haggerty Museum, 414/288-5915.

Virginia Lee Burton: Children's Book Illustrator, Author and Designer is sponsored by the Joan Pick Program Endowment Fund. The Haggerty Museum of Art is located at North 13th St. and West Clybourn Avenue on the campus of Marquette University. Museum hours are Monday - Wednesday, Friday - Saturday, 10 am-4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10 am-8 p.m.; and Sunday, noon-5 p.m.. Free parking is available in the Mary B. Finnigan Parking Lot (enter on 11th St. through Marquette Lot J). For more information on the exhibition or the Haggerty Museum, contact John Gardner at 414/288-3657.