The Peninsula Fine Arts Center in Newport News, Virginia will showcase the art of children’s book illustration, “The Original Art” going on view from Saturday, April 4 through June 28, 2015.

     This spring exhibition is an annual juried exhibit coordinated by the Society of Illustrators in New York to highlight the year’s best artwork created for children’s books. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to see how illustrators have interpreted stories through artwork, and a chance to compare the original pieces with the finished printed versions on the page.

     “The Original Art” show,  founded by illustrator and art director, Dilys Evans, is in its 32nd year, which features 40 pieces from the original collection exhibited at the Society in 2014.

     Gold and silver medals are awarded to three pieces in the collection. The silver medals were awarded to Carson Ellis for “Wildwood Imperium” (HarperCollins Publishers/Balzer + Bray) and Gary Kelley for “Harlem Hellfighters” (The Creative Company/Creative Editions), while the gold medal went to Benjamin Chaud for “The Bear’s Song” (Chronicle Books).

    Also on exhibit will be this year’s Founder’s Award winner, “Little Elliot, Big City” from Mike Curato’s book that was created in 2005. This award recognizes the most promising new talent in children’s book illustration.

     The exhibition will be complemented by the first-ever exhibit of Virginia Beach artist Bob Morehead’s whimsical toothpick sculptures, along with a selection of illustrations by Norfolk artist Walt Taylor. Taylor’s editorial illustrations appear weekly in the Opinion Section of the Virginian-Pilot and his work was featured in the book “The Art of Urban Sketching” by Gabriel Campanario.

     In addition, the center will showcase the best artwork created by area college and high school students in its annual spring juried exhibitions, Genesis (April 4-26) and Prefaces (May 2-31). The opening coincides with PFAC’s Free Weekend, offered on the first weekend of every month.

     For more information, call 757.596.8175 or see: www.pfac-va.org.