MYRTLE BEACH, SC.- Watercolorists will have a rare opportunity to hone their technical skills with nationally renowned painter and children’s book illustrator E.B. Lewis when the Franklin G. Burroughs-Simeon B. Chapin Art Museum hosts a three-day intensive workshop with the artist whose works have been on display at the Museum since early June in the exhibition E.B. Lewis: Story Painter. Lewis brings a background rich in expertise as an artist and as a teacher and will focus on art theory and the study of light and value as he provides individual attention to students.

The workshop, which will be held in the studio of the Museum at 3100 South Ocean Boulevard in Myrtle Beach, begins Thursday evening, October 1, when participants gather for a wine reception to discuss the format of the workshop and to tour Lewis’ exhibition. On October 2, 3 and 4, Friday through Sunday, participants will paint from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. with an hour break for lunch each day. Priced at $500, the workshop is limited to 18 students.

Lewis has achieved national renown as the illustrator of 50 children’s books. He has earned some of the highest honors awarded in his field with the Coretta Scott King Award in 2003 for Talkin’ About Bessie and a Caldecott Honor Award in 2005 for Coming On Home Soon. The American Library Association awards the Coretta Scott King Award each year to the outstanding African American illustrator and author; its Caldecott Award and Honor Awards are given each year for outstanding illustration. Lewis is also a member of the Society of Illustrators in New York City. Because of his distinction as an illustrator, Lewis travels the country each year giving motivational talks to school-age children, teachers, librarians and book-conference attendees.

His paintings are in private and public collections throughout the country and are sold through several major galleries, including the Wells Gallery in Charleston, where he maintains a second home and has illustrated several books with Charleston author Margot Theis Raven.

In addition to his work as an illustrator, painter and lecturer, Lewis is on the faculty of the University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he teaches pictorial foundations and illustration.