Nahid Kazemi, an Iranian illustrator residing in Canada, won Joanne Fitzgerald Award of one-month residence at the Toronto Public Library. The Program – and the annual award – was launched in 2013 to honor Joanne Fitzgerald, a renowned Canadian illustrator of children’s literature (1956-2011).
The Program provides children’s books illustrators with the opportunity of a one-month residency at a public library in Canada, during which they can perform programs for both children and adults. The Program – and the award – are a joint project of the Canadian Chapter of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY Canada), the Canadian Urban Libraries Council and participating libraries which have included the Toronto Public Library and the Edmonton Public Library.
The Program awards a jury-selected, published Canadian children’s book illustrator with a residency at a Canadian urban library each October. The winning Illustrator in Residence
leads a program which explains and promotes children’s book illustration. Past winners join experts from the participating library and IBBY Canada as jurists for the following year.
Kazemi, holding BA and MA Degrees in visual arts from Iranian universities, has thus far illustrated 60 books for children, which have been published in Iran, Canada, US, and Europe.
During her stay at the North Branch of Toronto Public Library during the month of October, she plans to hold art courses for students and evening workshops for adolescents and adults as well as presenting lectures in art departments and colleges.
