Toledo, Ohio—The Ohio Museums Association (OMA) announced this week that the
Toledo Museum of Art’s first children’s book, Glassigator, has won both a “Gold Award” and
“Best of Show” in the 2007 Visual Communications Awards. Written and illustrated by Allison
Dailey and her father, glass artist Dan Dailey, Glassigator is a 34-page, hardbound book that
tells the story of young Libbey and her friends as they discover her father’s studio and learn
about the process of glassblowing.
“We are delighted to have this recognition from our peers in the museum world,” TMA Director
Don Bacigalupi said. “In working with the gifted Daileys, our hope was to make the magic of
glassmaking come alive for children and all readers. The reception for Glassigator and this
award exceeds our wildest hopes.”
According to Dan Dailey, “Allie is such a terrific illustrator that I knew everyone would respond
enthusiastically to her portrayal of the characters we envisioned. Our goal was to write a story
that engages children in the working process so child readers will see themselves through our
invented characters,” he said. “Allie and I are very happy about the reaction to Glassigator. We
really wanted to make something that readers would enjoy.”
Working as a father-daughter team inspired Allison Dailey during the creative process. “Dad
always tells me that what you dream of is what you become. What I had to do was draw,” she
said. “It is incredibly satisfying to learn that other people got something out of our obsessive
habit.”
Copies of Glassigator are available for purchase in the Museum Store for $14.95. To purchase a
copy, visit or call the Museum Store at 419-254-5771, ext. 7359.
TMA also won an honorable mention for Glass in Glass—a 32-page softcover book by Richard
Putney and Paula Reich that highlights the Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion® and the glass
collection within.
The OMA Visual Communications Competition is open to all organizations producing materials
for Ohio museums. Entries are judged on overall design, the appropriateness of design to
message, effectiveness of design to audience, and the function of the publication. The OMA is a
nonprofit organization that serves the museums of Ohio, including art museums, aquariums,
zoos, botanical gardens, science and technology centers, and historic parks and sites.
- Toledo Museum of Art | Toledo, OH
sstacy@toledomuseum.org | www.toledomuseum.org