Producing "Sleep"

What does it take to put together a picture book? In some cases, it is an opportunity for creative collaboration that brings many talents together. Anne is an artist with training in music. The idea for his 2013 book ‘Sleep’ came from a choral composition. He illustrated the book himself, but to produce the text he worked with a lyricist who specializes in writing poetry for choral compositions. After he self-published the book, the composer of the original musical piece projected Anne’s illustrations as part of performances. It brought the project full-circle to the gratification of all involved. This talk is about the creative process, and Anne’s story is about an artist bringing his European influences to his work in America. Anne will include practical details about self-publishing, including fundraising, book layout and printing, marketing and sales, and finally responding to success and feedback.

Anne Horjus was raised in a small village near the Wadden Sea in the Northern part of the Netherlands known as Friesland. (Anne, pronounced Ann-uh, is an old fashioned Friesian boys name). He studied classical singing at the Royal Conservatory in The Hague and works now combining his talents in the visual and performing arts to create art installations, murals, theater sets and puppets. He has illustrated seven children’s picture books. His most recent book, called “Sleep,” inspired a performance by Grammy Award winning composer Eric Whitacre while his art was projected on a big screen. Anne is a part time library program coordinator in Baraboo and creates web and print versions of his children’s activities.

This event is part of the Wisconsin Humanities Council’s Working Lives Project, whose goal is to deepen and broaden the conversation about what it means to make a living and a life here. Whatever work one takes on – whether it’s a paying job, as a stay-at-home parent or an unpaid vocation – work is a defining aspect of life for all of us. Work provides both sustenance and meaning in our lives. It can also be a great source of anxiety. We don’t know what the future of work looks like – and that is where ShopTalk events like this one come in.

ShopTalk humanities experts spark conversations that explore the forces that have made work what it is today, and invite participants to consider what work might look like tomorrow. Other ShopTalk presenters share their own work and life stories, inviting audiences to learn how others experience work and to share their own stories.

“Our aim is to bring people together, sidestepping partisan rhetoric and building bridges by creating opportunities for community members to reflect on real issues in a place of deep thinking and respect,” said Dena Wortzel, executive director of the Wisconsin Humanities Council.

About Wisconsin Humanities Council:
The Wisconsin Humanities Council is a leading statewide resource for librarians, teachers, museum educators and civic leaders, who drive entertaining and informative programs using history, culture and discussion to strengthen community life for everyone. In addition to the Working Lives Project statewide initiative on work, the Wisconsin Humanities Council awards more than $175,000 a year over seven rounds of grants to local organizations for local humanities programming. For more information on Wisconsin Humanities Council, visit http://wisconsinhumanities.org or connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WIHumanities or Twitter at @WIHumanities. You can also view our blog at wisconsinhumanities.blogspot.com/.