Class of 2016 thesis peek: Traci Zaretzka’s ‘Zory’s Portraits’

Here’s a preview of Traci Zaretzka’s, Zory’s Portraits. The book will be on display at the 2016 thesis show, And Then…

Zory’s Portraits

Medium: Children’s Picture book

When Zory and her classmates go on a field trip to a portrait museum, they are excited and amazed by all of the beautiful paintings they see. But as Zory walks through the museum, she notices something that bothers her: none of the faces in the portraits look like her. Where are the zebra portraits? she wonders. When her teacher tells the class to choose a favorite portrait because they are going to copy it, Zory has trouble making a choice – until she comes up with her own solution.

What Zory notices about the museum she visits is the same thing a lot of people experience when visiting museums. Many well-known museums lack diversity in both the artwork and the artists they show.

Traci Zaretzka’s background is in fine art and elementary education. She often used picture books as teaching tools. Like Zory, she noticed that both picture books and art curriculum did not represent the diverse world in which her students lived. She wants to write stories that make all children feel represented and important.