Mazza Museum expands with diverse donations and renowned conrtibutors

By Mackala Krichbaum, KrichbaumM@Findlay.edu

The Mazza Museum at the University of Findlay is set to expand with donations in various forms. 

“The Mazza Museum receives donations of all types, but generally monetary donations are something that we get on a yearly basis,” Benjamin Sapp, Mazza Museum Director, said. “We have a fun drive that starts every November.” 

If an illustrator donates, they may donate their collection as one work of art or as many works of art as they wish. 

Nikki Grimes donated works of art from her personal collection in California.  

“She (Grimes) had ten works of art that she had planned on giving to us in her estate after she had passed,” Sapp said. “But because of the fires and the idea that she’s dealing with this on a yearly basis, she thought that she would give these works of art to us now so that she didn’t have to worry about saving them in the case of a fire for future.” 

Mark Brown, the creator of Arthur, is the most recent donor of books to the Mazza Museum. Brown intends to speak at graduation on May 10 as the commencement speaker. 

“MarK Brown is the most recent (donation) from three weeks ago,” Sapp said. “Jeff Grillio and I flew to Boston, drove to Martha’s Vineyard, and drove home with over a thousand of his works of art.”  

Although UF is considered a small school, the Mazza Museum has made an impact since 1982. 

“We’re now considered the world’s first, largest and most diverse collection of original artwork from picture books,” says Sapp.   

Dan Chzinsky, the curator for the Mazza Museum, chooses a variety of works from Brown for the next exhibit donated. 

Books not currently in rotation at the musuem can be found throughout the United States in traveling shows. 

“We had 291 events last year that took place at the museum,” Sapp said. “Many volunteer to help on a regular basis,” says Sapp.   

Sapp shared his enthusiasm for the dynamic environment at the museum. 

“There’s never two days that are alike,” Sapp said. “From the folks that come to visit to the artists and illustrators and authors that I meet on a regular basis, and the volunteers and the faculty and staff that I get to work with day in, and day out truly makes this place very, very special.”