Storyboard to Storybook: The Beulah Campbell Collection at Appalachian State University
December 20 - June 8, 2025 | Rankin East and West Gallery
This exhibition celebrates the artists behind beloved children’s books of the mid-20th century, offering a glimpse into the creative process of illustration and storytelling. Featuring over 30 original illustrations, collages, and preparatory drawings, the exhibition highlights the interplay between image and text in crafting indelible narratives. Spanning the 1950s through the 1980s, these works explore themes of identity, heritage, and imagination, while reflecting the shifting cultural landscape of the time.
Symeon Shimin, Zeely, 1967, from Zeely by Virginia Hamilton, published 1967 by New York: Macmillan
Beyond highlighting final illustrations, the exhibition delves into the intricate process of book creation. Visitors can explore manuscript mock-ups and printer’s proofs, which reveal the meticulous planning and collaboration between authors and illustrators. These objects illustrate how storytelling arcs and visual designs evolve in tandem to captivate young readers. At the gallery’s Storyboard Station, visitors can craft their own narratives while learning about familiar story structures and the steps to building a compelling arc.
The featured works are drawn from the Beulah Campbell Collection in Appalachian State University’s Belk Library Special Collections, a treasure trove of children’s literature and illustration. Through this collection, the exhibition invites visitors to rediscover cherished stories and deepen their appreciation for the artistry behind them, celebrating the timeless power of storybooks to inspire, educate, and enchant.