March 3–July 22, 2012

Curious George Saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H. A. Rey

The Annie Laurie Swaim Hearin Memorial Exhibition Series
The Donna and Jim Barksdale Galleries for Changing Exhibitions
Curious George, the beloved, irrepressible monkey of children’s book lore, is famous for his ability to “save the day.” Interpreting the role he played in safeguarding his own creators in times of danger as symbolic, this exhibition, appropriate for adults and children, delves into the remarkable lives and works of Margret and H. A. Rey. The couple fled Paris in 1940 with a Curious George manuscript in their suitcase. During a tense inspection of their belongings by a border official, children’s illustrations were found and they were allowed to continue on their way, eventually reaching the United States. Featuring nearly eighty original drawings and preparatory dummies for Margret and H. A. Rey children’s books and documentation related to their escape from Nazi-occupied Europe, the exhibition examines the parallels between the obstacles the Reys faced and the drawings that may have saved their lives. Admission is $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students
 
Curious George Saves the Day: The Art of Margret and H. A. Rey is organized by The Jewish Museum, New York, and is supported through a bequest from the Estate of Lore Ross.

The exhibition is made possible locally through the generous support of the Robert M. Hearin Support Foundation.  Additional support is provided by Trustmark Bank, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Mississippi, The Clarion-Ledger Media Group, and the Jackson Convention & Visitors Bureau.  Support is also provided in part by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and in part by the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.