The Pomona Library is a beacon of culture and the arts in the city. In general, libraries have still have a profound effect on me. I remember spending my early years in the children’s section staring at the beautiful artwork in each book, hoping to discover what the words meant. It was the art that inspired me and with its magic, I was eventually lured into becoming an award-winning author/illustrator of children’s books. Indeed, libraries have the capacity of transforming the lives of children and the overall community.
As the Illustration Coordinator of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI-SoCal Chapter), I am dedicated to the creators of the visual and written language of children’s books. The SCBWI is an ‘international professional organization for authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults. With their blessing, I have included many of its members who are local to the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas. I also looked to those legendary creators of the children’s book genre. Most noteworthy are the images and creators with the most stellar backgrounds that also celebrate the diversity and multiculturalism of Pomona.
In addition to the mural, I and other published members of the SCBWI together with the dA Center for the ARTs will provide the dA’s “Dear Imagination” story and art workshops based on the books featured in the mural itself at the library for the children.
My interest in the Pomona Library started when I was asked to appraise their Doll Collection in 2012. I immediately fell in love with the library and the staggering potential vis a vis their collections and history. In addition to being an illustrator, I am a certified appraiser through the Appraisers Nation Association (ANA) United as well as a Certified Fine Arts appraiser. In 2013 I enlisted the services of ANA colleagues to help with an appraisal day fundraiser for the Friends of the Library. In 2013/2014 I was commissioned by Friends of the Library to lead art workshop for the public.
In 2015 & 2017 I curated the exhibition Imagination: The Art of Children’s Books I - featured originals by Joe Cepeda & II featured originals by Leo Politi at the dA Center for the ARTS in which the Pomona Library was listed as a presenting community pARTner at the invitation of Margaret Aichele, Executive Director of the dA. In 2015 I secured organized several published authors to appear at the Pomona Reads event and in in 2017 there was a celebration for all of the PUSD librarians.
Suffice to say, I am a vested author, illustrator, educator, and arts advocate who cherishes the importance of the Pomona Library as a beacon of culture and arts. It would be the ultimate highlight in my career as a published illustrator to design a mural for the children’s room to inspire young minds to soar.