Famous illustrator and native Chattanoogan Barry Moser will appear at Signal Mountain Library Thursday, Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
Contributed imageSignal Mountain Library will host acclaimed illustrator and Chattanooga native Barry Moser for a rare local appearance to sign copies of his books Thursday, Sept. 22 at 6:30 p.m.
"I think it's a wonderful opportunity to meet somebody of this stature," said librarian Karin Glendenning. "He's considered to be the premier illustrator in America today."
She said the library has 20 of Moser's works, which include books for both adults and children. Wild Hare Books will have copies of seven of Moser's books available for purchase at the event, said Glendenning.
"The opportunity to have one of the books signed by the illustrator is a really special thing," she said. "They're really wonderful."
Glendenning praised Moser's watercolor illustrations for children's book "Hogwood Steps Out," a story about a pig by author Howard Mansfield.
"I've read it to the children at story time [at the library] and everyone loved it," she said.
His most recent work for children is "Once Upon a Twice," featuring a family of mice and written by Denise Doyen.
For adults, Moser's latest release is a book of 100 portraits, featuring engravings of literary luminaries and other famous people with an introduction by author Ann Patchett.
Born in Chattanooga, Moser attended the Baylor School before continuing his education at Auburn University and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
Glendenning said she interviewed Moser 15 years ago as book editor for the Chattanooga Times Free Press. She said was so impressed that when she saw him in the Baylor magazine recently, she shot him an email requesting an appearance at the library the next time he visited the area.
"He's just a wonderful artist and a very interesting man," she said. "I just thought it would be so fun to have him here, and we feel really fortunate to have someone here of his stature."
Glendenning said Moser's presentation will be more of a conversation than a speech.
"He's the kind of person who will prompt interesting questions from the audience," she said.
Former artist in residence at Dartmouth College and the University of Iowa, Moser is the first solo artist to attempt an illustration of the Bible since 1865. The multitalented illustrator currently living in western Massachusetts is also a printer, designer, author, teacher and owner of Pennyroyal Press.
For more information, call Signal Mountain Library at 886-7323 or visit here.