MASC Young Authors and Illustrators Festival
The MASC Young Authors and Illustrators Festival is a three-day
literary event that brings some of Canada’s finest writers and
illustrators of children’s books to Ottawa every spring to work with
aspiring young authors and illustrators. The 27th annual festival
welcomed 200 children per day in Grades 4 - 8, who share a
passion for writing, reading and book illustration. The days at the
Canadian Aviation and Space Museum were packed with literary
activities including artist presentations and readings, hands-on
creative workshops, book sales, and author signings. This year’s
line-up included authors Melanie Florence, Shane Peacock,
Sharon Jennings, Hélène Boudreau and Jeff Ross; and
illustrators Brian McLachlan, Doretta Groenendyk and Gabrielle
Grimard. Thanks to the ongoing support from Eagle Professional
Resources and the Canada Council for the Arts. As one student
said: “Everyone attending is so thankful for this festival…. Take
pride in fueling Canada’s next generation of young authors and
illustrators. I had a great time today and dearly love this festival.”
What
Events
MASC Your Story Festival
This fourth annual literary festival for teens brought six Canadian
artists to Ottawa in February to work with 100 students from
Grades 8 to 12. Presenters included authors Monique Polak, Max
Turner, Caroline Pignat, Melanie Florence and Alan Cumyn and
illustrator Brian McLachlan. The day was filled with literary
activities including a panel discussion moderated by CBC’s Adrian
Harewood, a spoken word performance and a collaborative poetry
writing activity by ‘Apollo the Child’, hands-on creative
workshops, author readings and a book fair with artist signings.
Many thanks to Leacross Foundations for their continuing support
of this event. In the words of one student: "The open, inspiring
structure of Your Story is phenomenal for learning. Farewell and
thank you for such an excellent experience! I’ve loved it all through
High School.”
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