Illustration Chair Co-Curates “Rooted: Family and Nature in Contemporary Children’s Book Illustration”

Shadra Strickland explore the connections between families and nature as illustated through children’s books.

Co-curators Shadra Strickland and Audrey Lewis stand in front a large paper dollhouse Sophie Blackall created to illustrate her 2022 book, “Farmhouse.” (Peter Crimmins/WHYY)

Illustration Chair Shadra Strickland is co-curator of Rooted: Family and Nature in Contemporary Children’s Book Illustration at the Brandywine Museum of Art in Chadds Ford, PA. The exhibition, which is on view through February 2024, presents more than 75 pieces of original artwork from eight illustrated children’s books that explore the enduring bonds between families and the outdoors.

Strickland curated the exhibition alongside Audrey Lewis, associate curator at Brandywine, continuing the museum’s rich tradition of illustration as represented in its collection of works by Howard Pyle, N.C. Wyeth, and Jesse Wilcox Smith.

Read more about Rooted at the Brandywine Museum of Art here.