Magazine News

Picture this

Anthony, Eng ’60, and Phyllis Kolpak are devoted to their grandkids and Marquette. So they were thrilled to bring the two together at the recent Illustration 101: Kids’ Art Workshop, which coincided with their grandchildren’s visit from Denver.

“We just thought that this was a great thing for our two little granddaughters,” Anthony says. “It just seemed like the perfect fit.” And maybe the perfect way to engage the next generation of a Legacy family.

Two 90-minute workshops brought together 60 grandparents and little ones to learn from M. Sarah Klise, Arts ’84, the illustrator who collaborated with her sister, Kate Klise, Arts ’85, in the creation of several children’s books, including Regarding the Fountain. Line by line, Sarah sketched a hot air balloon floating above a town. Participants then replicated the scene — with their own unique twists, of course.

“She taught it very good. She took it one step at a time,” says 9-year-old Michael Clausen, from Wauwatosa, Wis. Meeting Sarah was a special treat for Michael, who owns one of her books. “It was cool, kind of weird,” he says. “I never thought I’d meet an author.”

In addition to their artwork, participants took home bright gold aprons with the Marquette logo.

“We wanted an event that would appeal to MU grandparents with young grandchildren,” says Adrienne Roche, an engagement events organizer with University Advancement. She hopes it will be the first of many events for grandparents.  — NSE