For The Observer

Northwest Mississippi Community College’s November art exhibition, “Drawn to Whimsy: The World of Edgar Parker,” will feature works humorously characterizing and personalizing animals based on people he knew.

The exhibition, which is organized by the Mississippi Museum of Art and supported with funds provided by the museum's statewide Traveling Exhibition Endowment, will be housed at the Northwest Art Gallery in the Art Building on the Senatobia campus from Nov. 2-30.

Parker, who was born in 1925 in Meridian, suffered from several illnesses as a child, keeping him from joining other children in athletic activities. He turned instead to reading, sketching and playing with animals. His early interests evolved into a career as an author and illustrator of numerous children’s books.

Parker’s career as an illustrator began in New York, where he turned often to the animals in the Brooklyn Zoo or to childhood memories of his pets for inspiration.

Gifted also in literature, Parker wrote and illustrated seven books enjoyed by children and adults. His animal characters take on such convincing personalities, that the result is humorous and fantastical.

“Parker’s creatures are playfully bizarre, as though the artist had constructed them from some mental grab-bag of animal parts,” said Daniel Piersol, deputy director for programs for the MMA. “Like the weird creations of Maurice Sendak and Dr. Seuss, they delight children of all ages.”

Northwest Art Chair Lawayne House said, "The art of Edgar Parker is a wonderful example, not only how illustrated pictures can bring the words of literature to life, but how tenacity through creativity can allow one to overcome obstacles relating to health or circumstance.”

Northwest Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. and admission is free. For more information, contact House at 662-562-3399 or e-mail lhouse@northwestms.edu.