The Sun Valley Center for the Arts' multidisciplinary exhibition "Superheroes and Secret Identities" is more than just unleashing inner super powers, it is also recognizing contemporary comic art in the 21st century.
At the Center in Hailey, "Contemporary Graphic Novels" is an exhibition opening Friday, Nov. 14, through Friday, Jan. 16, and will feature the work of three accomplished graphic novelists—Sara Varon, Cyril Pedrosa and Danica Novgorodoff.
"Out of all the hundreds, if not thousands, of graphic book artists I could have chosen, I chose these three because they make beautiful, thoughtful books that are accessible to all ages," said Britt Udesen, The Center's director of education and humanities. "I wanted to show the variety of graphic novels and their subjects while creating an exhibition that would introduce people to an exciting and rich genre."
Graphic novels have become a popular art form and a pervasive expression that can be seen in a variety of publications, including The New York Times magazine. The Center's exhibition explores storytelling through a picture series, an age-old art form that has existed from the time of the Lascaux Cave paintings in France to today's Japanese manga cartoons.
"The diversity is incredible and impressive," Udesen said. "We've got everything from robots strolling Brooklyn to the desolate landscape of the Mexican-American border and the rolling hills of a child's imagination."
In the last 15 years, the graphic novel has expanded from being considered alternative to a Pulitzer Prize-winning literary genre. Varon is one of the better-known and most-awarded artists in the indie comic scene. Her projects include "Sweaterweather" and the picture book "Chicken and Cat," a 2006 Parent's Choice silver honor award winner. "Robot Dreams," a wordless graphic novel about a dog and a robot, was selected by Kirkus Reviews as one of the best children's books of 2007 and by Publisher's Weekly as one of the 150 best books of 2007. The Center will exhibit a mix of finished pieces, process drawings and book mockups from her "Chicken and Cat" and "Robot Dreams" projects.
Pedrosa began his career in animation on the Disney films "Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Hercules." He has since become a rising star in the new genre of graphic novels, combining the influences of animation and the literary traditions of Jorge Luis Borges, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and J. R. R. Tolkien to create a unique visual "handwriting." The Center will display selections from "Three Shadows."
Novgorodoff graduated from Yale University and has worked as a horse trainer in Virginia, an English teacher in Ecuador, an assistant to photographer Sally Mann and an arts writer. In 2006 she won the Isotope Award for her mini-comic "A Late Freeze," and in 2007 she was nominated for an Eisner Award. She lives in New York City, where she works as a designer for First Second Books. On view are original watercolor paintings from "Slow Storm."
In addition, The Center in Hailey will hold a teen workshop, "The Graphic Novel," with Leslie Patricelli on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $10. Patricelli will also conduct a free "I Want to Be a Superhero" Family Day on Sunday, Nov. 16, from 3-5 p.m.
The Center in Hailey is on 314 Second Ave. S., at the corner of Second and Pine. Gallery hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday. Admission to the gallery is free. For details, call 726-9491.
"Robot Dreams" by Sara Varon is a wordless graphic novel about a dog and a robot.
