The Society of the Four Arts invites the public to a special Saturday story time event on February 11, 2012 at 10 a.m. “Kids Day” will feature award winning artist and children’s book author Alex Beard, reading from his three books: Crocodile's Tears, Monkey See, Monkey Draw and The Jungle Grapevine. Following story time, children will have the opportunity to engage their creative spirit creating their own original artwork under Beard’s guidance.
Children of all ages are invited to this special event, which takes place at the Pannill Pavilion in The Four Arts’ Philip Hulitar Sculpture Garden. Admission is free and reservations are required. Call (561) 655-2776.
About the Four Arts Children’s Library-
The Four Arts Children’s Library holds regular story times for preschool age children on Mondays and Thursdays at 10:30 a.m. and for school-age children eight and younger on Mondays and Thursdays at 2:30 p.m. In addition to free story time programs, the children’s library offers craft and cooking classes, as well as other special events. There is no charge to obtain a children’s library membership; for additional information, visit www.fourarts.org/childrenslibrary.
About Alex Beard –
Influenced to think creatively from a young age by his uncle, noted photographer, Peter Beard, and his mother, author and editor, Patricia Beard, Alex grew up in the NYC of the 1970’s among some of the world’s most interesting and influential people – Andy Warhol, Truman Capote, and their Pop World cohorts were familiar faces in the Beard household.
Alex studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the New Orleans Academy of Fine Arts and participated in the New York Studio School’s Drawing Marathon. His first solo exhibition was in SoHo during his early twenties. Since then, he has had significant one-man shows in New York, Los Angeles, New Orleans and in cities as far afield as Hong Kong. He is the creator of a unique style of painting called “Abstract Naturalism,” and is considered by many as a successor to the school of visual mathematicians championed by M.C. Escher. Alex’s artwork hangs in public and private collections around the world.
Alex’s critically-acclaimed, best-selling Tales From the Watering Hole collection of illustrated children’s picture books, and his series of Impossible Puzzles for adults have become the inspiration for a unique body of products created to extend the dialogue between artist and consumer. In addition to his books and puzzles, Alex’s original artwork has been transformed into an impressive line of successful products at the national retail level, including, journals, sketchbooks, art and activity kits, and games for both the children’s and adult markets.
In addition to his exhibition and book tour schedule, Alex brings his Kids’ Day events to schools, libraries, museums, bookstores and zoos throughout the country. Through his unique combination of story telling and art activities, Alex has had the opportunity to draw, paint, and talk about art with tens of thousands of children.
Alex and his family live in his adopted home of New Orleans, where he has opened an Alex Beard Studio, in the French Quarter, on the corner of Royal Street and Pirate’s Alley.