From Houdini to Hugo presents over 100 pencil illustrations, pen and ink drawings, acrylics and models by the award-winning children’s author and illustrator, Brian Selznick.

In his youth, Brian Selznick lived out some of his fantasies on the fortressed "Island of G.I. Joe," built in the thicket behind his house. He loved Star Wars and old films, including The Wizard of Oz, 1950s science fiction flicks, and monster movies — particularly The Phantom of the Opera and King Kong. Childhood experiments with theatrical makeup inspired one of his future books, The Boy of a Thousand Faces. Today, Selznick still constructs the worlds of his imagination, filling his studio with sculptures, handcrafted puppets, and dioramas.

Selznick attended the Rhode Island School of Design and studied set design at neighboring Brown University. After graduating, he worked at Eeyore's Books for Children, in Manhattan, where his contacts included book editors, picture book artists, authors, and a knowledgeable staff. He wrote and illustrated his first book, The Houdini Box (1991), while working at the store. He received a 2002 Caldecott Honor for The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins and was awarded the 2008 Caldecott Medal for his innovative, cinematic The Invention of Hugo Cabret, a 526-page book told in words and pictures — nearly 300 pages of pictures! — that he both authored and illustrated, and which is now being made into a film directed by Martin Scorsese.

This exhibition was organized by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature, Abilene, Texas.

Each exhibition is included with regular admission; see our hours of operation and admission prices here.

Introducing: The Room of Wonders

From Houdini to Hugo: The Art of Brian Selznick

Children’s Interactive Discovery Room

Dixon Gallery & Gardens

Discover the Room of Wonders! This interactive gallery will take children out of the tangible world, and into the realm of the impossible with activities and exciting ways to engage with art…

Hat Stories is an activity where young visitors can pull characters out of a trick hat, then illustrate them in their own story. Step Right Up (if you dare) suddenly transforms viewers into fantastic creatures. The Illusions Stage gives every child an opportunity to be expressive with props and costumes. And finally our reading area is stocked with beautifully illustrated books by Brian Selznick, which will encourage literacy and more wondrous play!