Event encourages people to be creative.
International Dot Day, a worldwide celebration inspired by the popular Peter H. Reynolds picture book, “The Dot,” will be marked at the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, in Amherst, with a booksigning by Reynolds.
The event, designed to encourage both children and adults to unleash their inner creativity, takes place Sept. 15 from 1 to 4 p.m.
The museum's observance will include films, story times and a presentation and book signing with Reynolds. All activities are free with museum admission.
Cover of "Dot Day" by Peter Reynolds. International Dot Day was started in 2009 by an Iowa teacher, who wanted to inspire her students to become more creative.
“Three years ago, there were about 17,000 participants, and last year it went to 850,000,” Reynolds said. “This year, based on the numbers we’re seeing registering, it will be over one-million ‘markers’ around the world.”
Participants around the globe are signing up to participate in International Dot Day on http://www.thedotclub.org/dotday/.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of both the Carle Museum and “The Dot,” which tells the story of Vashti, a stubborn girl who refuses to draw until her teacher encourages her to “make her mark.”
Vashti draws a dot on her paper, which ignites her imagination and sense of creativity.
“The Dot,” the first book in Reynold’s “Creatrilogy” series, has prompted children in classrooms, libraries and communities to be more creative, especially each Sept. 15 for International Dot Day.
Reynolds, who has illustrated the Judy Moody chapter book series for children, said the idea for “The Dot” came to him several years ago when he addressed a classroom of young elementary school students.
“I was so saddened that kids as young as 5 or 6 were saying that they can’t draw,” he said.
“I thought, ‘Wow, how sad that they had stuck a label on themselves so early.’ I’m a big believer that everyone is an artist. The definition we put on that is so narrow.”
Reynolds said “The Dot” is as much for kids as it is for adults.
“It really comes down to bravery, which is what ‘The Dot’ is about – being proud of your inner voice and feeling good about sharing it with the world,” Reynolds said.
“I hope to get kids to keep going, and watch out for those around them to make sure they don’t give up.”
International Dot Day is an open-ended concept, with people marking the day in various ways, other than through art.
“It can also end up being interpreted through dance and theater, photography, and the part I really like is service, especially with the older grades,” Reynolds said.
“What does it mean to make your mark? The dot is really a metaphor (for) getting started and championing your ideas…how they are going to make their mark in a positive way.”
Reynolds said he also hopes to restore the joy to “making marks.”
“My other goal is to have a lot of fun and realize that making marks feels good and it brings you joy,” he said.
While Reynolds maintains there’s no right or wrong way to create art, he’s fine with those who want to use “proper technique” to “get it right” if that’s what brings them joy.
In our tech-centric world, Reynolds said art is even more important today.
“Art is one of the last bastions of play, and kids need to play,” he said.
Dot Day festivities at the Carle Museum include a film screening of “The Dot” at 1 p.m., followed by an illustrated presentation with Reynolds and Paul Gagne, director of production at Weston Woods Studios; a book signing with Reynolds and storytime at 2 p.m. ; screening of the "Creatrilogy" films, “The Dot,” “Ish,” and “Sky Color” at 3 p.m., and another storytime in the library at 4 p.m.
Throughout the day, there will be Dot activities in the museum’s art studio.
The Eric Carle Museum is located at 125 West Bay Road in Amherst. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children under 18 and $22.50 for a family of four. For more information and directions, visit www.carlemuseum.org.