The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats

This is a past exhibition

This exhibition was on view at the Skirball
April 10–September 7, 2014

This exhibition showcased the evocative world of the pioneering author and illustrator Ezra Jack Keats (1916–1983), featuring more than eighty original works by the artist. Ranging from preliminary sketches and preparatory books to final paintings and collages, the works displayed in The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats explored a life and career that became an inspiration for generations of readers and authors.

Keats was born Jacob Ezra Katz to Jewish immigrant parents in Brooklyn. His landmark book The Snowy Day (1962), which won the prestigious Caldecott Medal, was the first modern, full-color book to feature an African American protagonist. Published during the height of the civil rights movement in America, the book paved the way for multiracial representation in children’s literature.

The Snowy Day and the Art of Ezra Jack Keats exhibition featured works on loan from the de Grummond Children’s Literary Collection of the University of Southern Mississippi, including examples of Keats’s most introspective but less-known output inspired by Asian art and poetry. At the Skirball, the exhibition also invited visitors to take part in imaginative play inspired by Keats’s art, such as story writing and shadow making.

illustration of boy making snow angels — Ezra Jack Keats, “So he made a smiling snowman, and he made angels.” Final illustration for *The Snowy Day*, 1960

Collage and paint on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of boy with his mom — Ezra Jack Keats, “He told his mother all about his adventures.” Final illustration for *The Snowy Day*, 1962

Collage and pencil on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of a boy reaching into the pocket of his coat and the same boy in a bed — Ezra Jack Keats, “Before he got into bed he looked in his pocket.” Final illustration for *The Snowy Day* 1962.

Collage, paint, and pencil on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of boy walking in snow in a city — Ezra Jack Keats, “After breakfast he put on his snowsuit and ran outside.” Final illustration for *The Snowy Day*, 1962

Collage and paint on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats* Foundation

illustration of 2 boys peaking from behind a column — Ezra Jack Keats, “He went over to take a good look.” Final illustration for *Apt. 3*, 1971

Paint on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of a boy and girl talking to each other across their apartment windows — Ezra Jack Keats, “It was hot. After supper Roberto came to his window to talk with Amy.” Final illustration for *Dreams*, 1974.

Marbled paper and paint on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of children sitting on steps and playing on the sidewalk — Ezra Jack Keats, “Archie laughed and said, ‘We sure fooled ’em, didn’t we?’ “ Final illustration for *Goggles!*, 1969.

Paint and collage on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of a boy with an ice cream cone lookign at a cat sitting on a metal trash can — Ezra Jack Keats, “On his way to meet Peter, Archie saw someone new on the block.” Final illustration for *Hi, Cat!*, 1970

Paint and collage on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of the front and back of a girl wearing a very ornate and colorful hat — Ezra Jack Keats, “They added a picture of swans . . . leaves . . . and some paper flowers.” Final illustration for *Jennie’s Hat*, 1966

Collage and paint on paper.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of a boy holding a knapsack waving to a house in the distance — Ezra Jack Keats, “He said goodbye to his mother and father, and off he went.” Final illustration for *John Henry: An American Legend*, 1965.

Collage, paint, and pencil on paper.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of a man looking at a castle in the distance — Ezra Jack Keats, “Finally, he reached the King’s high palace.” Final illustration for The King’s Fountain, by Lloyd Alexander, 1971

Paint on marbled paper, mounted on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of a boy in a raincoat and hat — Ezra Jack Keats, dust jacket. Final illustration for *A Letter to Amy*, 1968

Watercolor, collage, and paint on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of people riding in the back of a pickup truck playing instruments and waving — Ezra Jack Keats, “Barney and Peg got married!” Final illustration for Louie’s Search, 1980

Paint and collage on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of leaves falling down from trees into the snow — Ezra Jack Keats, Endpapers. Final illustration for *Over in the Meadow*, by Olive A. Wadsworth, 1971

Collage and watercolor on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration fo a man playing a violin outside with buildings in the background — Ezra Jack Keats, dust jacket. Final illustration for *Penny Tunes and Princesses*, by Myron Levoy, 1972.

Paint and collage on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of a boy running up steps to a door, a young girl sitting on the steps and a dog looking up at the boy — Ezra Jack Keats, “ ‘It’s time for the pet show!...’ Archie ran into the building.” Final illustration for *Pet Show!*, 1972.

Paint, collage, and crayon on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of a man and boy painting a small chair — Ezra Jack Keats, “‘Daddy,’ said Peter, ‘let’s paint the little chair pink for Susie.’ And they did.” Final illustration for Peter’s Chair, 1967

Collage and paint on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of a boy and girl in a bathtub flying in the air above a city — Ezra Jack Keats, “They were getting close to home when Ziggie finally dropped the rope.” Final illustration for Regards to the Man in the Moon, 1981

Collage and paint on marbled paper, mounted on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of silhouetted figures shaped like witches and a cat chasing a silhouetted boy down a street — Ezra Jack Keats, “He turned around and ran—as fast as he could.” Final illustration for The Trip, 1978

Collage, paint, crayon, and pencil on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

illustration of a small boy at a stoplight — Ezra Jack Keats, “When he stopped everything turned down…and up…” Final illustration for Whistle for Willie, 1964

Collage, paint, and pencil on board.

*Ezra Jack Keats Papers, de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, McCain Library and Archives, The University of Southern Mississippi. Copyright Ezra Jack Keats Foundation*

close-up photo of a man with a mustache holding 2 paint brushes — Ezra Jack Keats, 1973

*Photo: Beverly Hall*

In the News

Shelf Life: Keats exhibit at Skirball worth a visit
Ventura County Star | August 3, 2014

Skirball exhibit explores cultural significance of Ezra Jack Keats’ children’s books
Los Angeles Daily News | May 20, 2014

Mini-Muse
SkirBlog | May 8, 2014

A Family Must–See
Museum Stories | April 30, 2014

Remember The Snowy Day? Ezra Jack Keats Exhibition Opens at the Skirball
LA Weekly | April 20, 2014

Donor Support

THE SNOWY DAY AND THE ART OF EZRA JACK KEATS WAS ORGANIZED BY THE JEWISH MUSEUM, NEW YORK, FROM THE COLLECTION OF THE DE GRUMMOND CHILDREN'S LITERATURE COLLECTION, THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI. THE EXHIBITION WAS FUNDED THOUGH A GENEROUS GRANT FROM THE EZRA JACK KEATS FOUNDATION. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT WAS PROVIDED BY THE JOSEPH ALEXANDER FOUNDATION, THE ALFRED J. GRUNEBAUM MEMORIAL FUND, AND THE WINNICK FAMILY FOUNDATION.

THE SNOWY DAY AND THE ART OF EZRA JACK KEATS AND ITS RELATED PROGRAMS AT THE SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER WERE MADE POSSIBLE IN PART THROUGH THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE FOLLOWING DONORS:

The Boeing Company
Carsey Family Foundation
Specialty Family Foundation
Lannette and Scott Turicchi

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY:
Eileen Harris Norton Foundation
Patricia and Stanley Silver

Media Sponsors

MEDIA SUPPORT FOR THE PRESENTATION OF THE EXHIBITION AT THE SKIRBALL CULTURAL CENTER:

Skirball Cultural Center

Ezra Jack Keats, “Crunch, crunch, crunch, his feet sank into the snow.”