MUSKEGON, MI.- Michigan native Robert Sabuda is highly regarded as the wizard of pop-up engineering, and his mastery of the technique fascinates children and adults alike. Travels in Time and Space highlights Sabuda's original pop-up artwork, mock-ups, and illustrations from many of his multifaceted books, including The12 Days of Christmas (1995), Arthur and the Sword (1996) and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (2000).
A dreadful wait at the dentist's office as a child was a pivotal moment for Sabuda's future career. To calm his fears, his mother suggested reading. Pop-up books were among the offerings in the waiting room. Sabuda was hooked. After graduating from Pinckney (Michigan) High School, he attended the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, where he refined his talents. After Pratt, he worked as a box designer for ladies underwear until he could establish himself as a maker of children's books. Since his first pop-up publication, The Christmas Alphabet(1994), he has created over 40 children's books. The exhibition features a selection of Sabuda's publications that span the past decade. Explore the complex mechanics of making paper pop-ups and discover how Sabuda uses drama and surprise to bring his books to life. The exhibition will be on display through February 22, 2009.