ABILENE, Texas — The 12th Children’s Art + Literacy Festival (CALF) kicks off June 13 in Abilene and features the books of award-winning illustrator LeUyen Pham.
Pham's original artwork will be on exhibit this summer at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL). The CALF theme is inspired by the artist on exhibit each summer at the museum.
During the festival, the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council will unveil the newest addition to the Storybook Sculpture Project based on LeUyen and Shannon Hale’s Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn book series. The new artwork brings the collection to 40 sculptures, the largest collection of its kind in the nation.
The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council plans the festival with the help of art organizations, sponsors and hundreds of volunteers.
More than 5,800 people from 190 cities, 21 states and Mexico attended 2023's CALF, which kicks off this year June 13 with Group Day for daycares and summer camps. Nearly 800 children who might otherwise not be able to come to the festival can attend Group Day, thanks to sponsors.
The festival opens to the public Thursday afternoon with a costume contest, a Storybook Parade with a new route along Pine Street and the unveiling of the new Storybook Sculpture. Pham and her family will join the festivities in Abilene. Thursday night, meet the artist at the Paramount Theatre and draw along with him during the free “Sketch with LeUyen” event followed by a book signing.
A festival pass is required to attend Friday and Saturday events, which include dramatic readings of LeUyen’s most popular books at six venues with art activities and costume characters, ventriloquist Nancy Burks Worcester, Le Marionette Theater of Dallas, Kornpop the clown’s balloon show, train rides, Abilene Philharmonic Instrument Petting Zoo, May Farm Petting Zoo and more.
For an additional fee, families can see world-class illusionist Jason Bishop perform Friday and Saturday nights at the Paramount Theatre.
Children collect CALF buttons for their festival lanyards as they complete each activity. Wear CALF passes Sunday for free admission to the Abilene Zoo and experience more CALF with book readings and animal encounters.
To register, visit abilenecalf.com.
Thursday events are free. Passes for Friday and Saturday are $12 for children and $17 for ages 13 and up.
