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Media Relations

The Bill Peet storybook menagerie

Bill Peet loved to draw. From the time he was old enough to manipulate a crayon or pencil, he'd draw for hours at a time. His secret ambition growing up in Indiana was to be an illustrator of animal stories -- but he wasn't convinced that drawing could ever be practical as a career.

Then came John Herron Art Institute, and suddenly, his dream of making art a career seemed more realistic. In 1933, he was awarded a scholarship to attendHerron, where he studied drawing, painting and design for three years. His work eventually landed him a job as a sketch artist for Walt Disney in California.

The work of Peet, an Indiana University alumnus, author, illustrator and filmmaker, will be on display in a special exhibit at the IU Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis now through Jan. 6. The collection will show Peet's creative journey from when he started working to how he progressed as he went to work at Walt Disney.

Jon Bricker, director of art design and public life at the IU Herron School of Art and Design, said Peet's drawings have great appeal because they are fun. Although Peet passed away in 2002, his work continues to influence young artists.

"He was a great illustrator," Bricker said. "I really enjoy looking at his illustrations, and I think they are so well drawn -- the detail in them is just amazing. They are just fun characters to look at -- not only in the Disney work but also in his children's book illustrations and even the text."

During his 27-year career at Disney, his creative contributions were endless. Peet was the only story man in the history of Disney studios to create all the storyboards for not one, but two animated feature films -- 101 Dalmatians and Sword in the Stone.

Following his years with Disney, Peet left to embark on his second career as a writer and illustrater of storybooks. A Caldecott Honor Book winner, Peet illustrated 34 children's books, including The Caboose Who Got Loose, Chester The Worldly Pig, Fly Homer Fly and The Luckiest One of All. He also wrote Bill Peet: An Autobiography.

The Herron School exhibit will include 62 original illustrations from Peet's collection. There will be several illustrations and text panels that show off many recognizable characters like "Droofus the Dragon," "Pamela the Camel," and "Cowardly Clyde." In addition, the exhibit includes the concept drawings Peet created for the films Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland.

The exhibit is free and open to the public. The gallery hours are: Mondays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays until 8 p.m., or by appointment. The gallery is closed on Sundays. For more information, visit http://www.herron.iupui.edu/ or call 317-278-9400.

Storytelling and movie events are also tied to the exhibit. See the schedule below:

Movie Time
Basile Auditorium at Herron
Saturday, Dec. 8
11:00 a.m. -- 101 Dalmatians
2:00 p.m. -- Sword in the Stone
Free admission
Cookies will be available for children compliments of Mo'Joe Coffeehouse.

Storytelling Time
Herron Galleries
Now-Jan. 5 at 11 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (Closed Christmas Day and New Year's Day)
Free Admission

• Rhyming Stories: Recommended for ages 4 and olderHubert's Hair Raising Adventure -- Hubert the lion, terribly vain about his beautiful mane, tries everything to make it grow back after it goes up in smoke.
• The Caboose Who Got Loose -- Katy Caboose is tired of being last, and one day a freak accident allows her to realize her dream of peace and solitude.
• Ella -- Ella the elephant thinks of herself as a famous circus star, but gets a lesson in humility when a mean farmer puts her to work.

Full Stories: Recommended for ages 6 and older

• The Gnats of Knotty Pine -- The animals of Knotty Pine won't listen to the gnats' suggestions for keeping the hunters away, but learn to appreciate the tiny bugs when they're able to make the hunters "buzz off."
• The Ant and the Elephant -- The elephant is the kindest animal in the jungle, rescuing the giraffe, lion and rhino, but who will return the favor when the elephant needs help?
• Jethro and Joel -- The good half of a two-headed troll gets them both in trouble when he lets the bad side rule for a day.
• Farewell to Shady Glade -- Bulldozers push the raccoon and his friends from their home, but they're able to find a new one after a terrifying train ride.
• Wing Ding Dilly -- Scamp learns to be content with his dog's life when Zildy the kooky witch turns him into a wing ding dilly.

Storytelling Time is presented by students from Vanessa Bowers' Public Speaking class, Communication Studies, IU School of Liberal Arts and IUPUI.

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