With the recent release of Whittington Press’s limited edition book Vance Gerry & The Weather Bird Press — celebrating the life and work of the Southern California-based artist, printer and publisher — the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library is hosting a lively, illustrated lecture by Robert Bothamley on the late Vance Gerry (1929-2005).
Gerry was born and raised in Pasadena, California. He worked for the Walt Disney Animation Studio for many years as a layout and story sketch artist. He later became a professional printer and founded numerous presses, including The Weather Bird Press.
An Animated Character: An Evening of Vance Gerry will be held the evening of Friday, September 27 at the Clark Library (2520 Cimarron Street, Los Angeles).
The Clark Library holds Gerry’s archives, comprising illustrations, layout sketches, galley, page, and signature proofs, dummies, correspondence, ephemera, pochoir samples, and stencils, as well as nearly 100 Weather Bird Press books. A selection of this work will be on display in the library before and after the talk.
The talk will be followed by an optional outdoor screening of one of the many Disney movies showcasing Gerry’s work, the 1961 animated feature 101 Dalmatians. (Note: The lecture and screening are separate events and require separate bookings if visitors plan to attend both.)
The evening’s schedule is as follows:
5:30–6:30 p.m. Lecture
6:30–7:30 p.m. Reception for lecture attendees, library open for book viewing
7:30 p.m. Grounds open for movie attendees and picnicking on the East Lawn
8:00 p.m. Screening of 101 Dalmatians
More information and reservations available online.
