Thanks to a resounding community response, Tacoma Art Museum is extending the exhibition Beyond Books: The Independent Art of Eric Carle for two additional weeks, closing now on Sunday, July 21.
Called "joyful," "vibrant" and "unexpected," the exhibition gives visitors the chance to see something that few people in the world have seen: a remarkable variety of paintings, sculptures and personal sketches that Eric Carle has been creating privately for years. Best known for The Very Hungry Caterpillar and more than 70 other picture books, Carle has created a significant and varied body of artwork that was never intended for book publication.
So far, Beyond Books has welcomed nearly 23,000 people – including 6,758 individuals who experienced the exhibition at no charge through Tacoma Art Museum's various free programs, and 4,500 students who toured the exhibition across 10 weeks.
"We couldn't be happier that people are responding so positively to Eric's artwork," said Stephanie A. Stebich, Director of Tacoma Art Museum. "Being able to share the other side of his artistic life opens up new insights into his work and gives us all a chance to better understand the man who has been one of the most influential and beloved creators of our age."
The exhibition highlights the full range of Carle's career, from the 1940s to today, introducing people to what Carle calls his "ArtArt." To read Seattle's Child's parent review, click here. For more information about the exhibit, visit www.TacomaArtMuseum.org.
