Eric Carle’s Modernist Inspirations Leads Museum's 2026-27 Exhibition Schedule
Eric Carle, illustration for The Artist Who Painted a Blue Horse
Indigenous picture book art, fiber books, and the influence of German art on illustrator Eric Carle form the basis of The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art 2026-2027 exhibition schedule.
Eric Carle’s Modernist Inspirations (from September 19 through September 5, 2027) will examine the movements and artists that shaped Carle’s distinctive visual language. The exhibition traces his formative years in Germany from the time his art teacher secretly introduced him to the so-called “degenerate” artists banned by the regime which made a lasting impression on Carle’s own work.
The exhibition will highlight Carle's admiration for the Bauhaus school and the Der Blaue Reiter group, presenting selections from his oeuvre alongside works by modernist figures such as Anni Albers, Marc Chagall, Sonia Delaunay, Shizuo Fujimori, Paul Klee, Oscar Kokoschka, Fernand Léger, August Macke, René Magritte, Franz Marc, and Pablo Picasso.
Opening November 21 through May 2, 2027, Weaving Words: Fiber Arts and Picture Books will explore the connection between fiber arts and picture books over the past 60 years of illustration history, taking a closer look at how artists have experimented with materials to replicate intricate textures and used the fiber arts themselves. The exhibition will feature artworks from 32 picture books including art by Juana Martinez-Neal, Dinara Mirtalipova, Vesper Stamper, Faith Ringgold, and Salley Mavor.
Guest curated by Dr. Lee Francis IV, The Precious Things We Share: The Past, Present, and Future of Indigenous Picture Book Art (January 16, 2027-June 20, 2027) takes its name from 'Wáanegugish' meaning “the precious things we share” in the Nipmuc language. The first of its kind, this exhibition will be celebrating and focusing on Indigenous picture book artists from what is now the United States and Canada.
Exploring the illustrative traditions of the Peoples of Turtle Island and spanning more than 250 years of storytelling, it highlights the growth of children’s books created by Indigenous artists and the stories and images that reflect Native lives, cultures, and traditions. The exhibition includes more than 80 works looking at how North American Indigenous peoples created elaborate stories befoire European contact, first editions of books by Native artists and authors from the early 20th century, and contemporary publishing.
