R. Gregory Christie has illustrated over 50 books, 6 of them being featured in the exhibition Telling A People’s Story including: Freedom in Congo Square, Richard Wright and the Library Card, Dear Mr. Rosenwald, The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore, Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshall, Roots and Blues: A Celebration, and Our Children Can Soar.
Christie has had over 20 years experience in his field and currently works as a freelance illustrator and owns GAS-ART Gifts (Gregarious Art Statements), a bookstore featuring autographed children’s books, gallery, and open art studio in Decatur, Georgia.
One of Christie’s goals is to educate children about art and literacy. Not only does he lecture at schools and libraries, but he also teaches after school art programs in the Atlanta area.
Christie’s works have been published in numerous critically acclaimed magazines: The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, Vibe, The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. If you grew up in the 90’s you may also remember seeing his illustrations on the popular children’s PBS show Between the Lions. He also designed the 2013 US Post Office Kwanzaa Forever stamp.
Christie recently received a Caldecott Honor for his illustration work in Freedom in Congo Square and is also a three-time recipient of the New York Times 10 Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year Award and a five-time recipient of the Coretta Scott King Honor Award in Illustration. To learn more about Christie and the classes he offers visit his website.
To get the chance to meet Christie come to Meet the Illustrator: An Evening with R. Gregory Christie at the Lane Library, April 23 at 6:30pm. Afterwards there will be a book sale and signing. Christie will also be speaking at the Art Museum’s Telling A People’s Story Exhibition Conference from April 20-21.
Source(s): Christie, R. Gregory. “Blog | Sip & Stroke Parties | African American Artist.” GAS-ART GIFTS, gas-art.com/blog/.