MONTCLAIR, N.J. On September 26 at 7 p.m. the Montclair Art Museum (MAM) will host the Annual Conversation on Education and the Arts, once again this year, featuring a dialogue between celebrated children�s author and illustrator Eric Carle, and Nick Clark, founding Director of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, the first museum in the United States completely devoted to picture book art. The program is co-sponsored by the Montclair Community Pre-K and MAM, with generous support from Montclair residents Jane and Harvey Susswein.

Eric Carle is the world-renowned author and illustrator of over 70 books including the classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art was created to celebrate the first art children are exposed to, picture book illustrations. Carle and Clark will discuss Carle�s classic and most recent works and the work they do through the Museum in Amherst , Massachusetts .

Nick Clark and Eric Carle will describe to the audience how literacy and other important skills associated with reading and comprehension can be drastically improved by using their innovative teaching methods. One of the main objectives of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is to provide an enriching, dynamic, and supportive context for the development of literacy and to foster in visitors of all ages and backgrounds the confidence to appreciate and enjoy art of every kind.

The Eric Carle program will also feature artwork created by students of the Montclair Community Pre-K Program based on the teaching methods that are promoted by Eric Carle and Nick Clark. All of the children�s artwork will be on display throughout the program in the Museum�s Children�s Arcade . The exhibition is organized by Carla Gilruth, Montclair Community Pre-K art instructor.

A book signing with Eric Carle will follow the discussion and question and answer period. Tickets are $15 Museum members and Montclair Pre-K families, $20 non-members, $10 students with ID, and $5 for children 12 and under. Tickets and Eric Carle merchandise can be purchased from the Museum Store.

Sponsored by the Montclair Pre-K and MAM, with generous support from Jane and Harvey Susswein.