Birmingham Homecoming for Storyteller Wil Clay
By Leslie Johnston
Nationally-acclaimed storyteller and illustrator Wil Clay will come to the Birmingham Public Library during the week of November 17-21. While here, Clay will give performances to children at a host of BPL branches. In addition, he will also perform for a Brown Bag Lunch program at the Central branch.

Born in Bessemer in 1938, Clay lived in Bessemer and Fairfield until seventh grade, when he moved Toledo, Ohio. In 1988, after attending several distinguished art schools, he founded Common Space, a creative arts center in Toledo. In 1989, author Jan Wahl approached him about illustrating Tailypo!, and Clay finally agreed to the project. Clay draws upon his Alabama experiences when he draws his illustrations. For Tailypo!, Clay used his memories of his poor and middle-class grandparents' homes to draw the décor.

In the book, I am Rosa Parks, Clay drew upon his experiences growing up in the segregated South, which allowed him to draw scenes with authenticity. Clay's illustrations in I Am Rosa Parks show images of African Americans during the Civil Rights Movement drinking from the colored water fountain, and standing in the back of the bus.

An accomplished artist, Clay stumbled into storytelling by accident in 1992 when he visited one of his art model's schools. He thought he was going to visit just her class but he arrived to find an auditorium full of children. His storytelling took off from there, and now he practices his craft all over the country. At Clay's storytelling sessions, he combines his artwork with the stories. Clay draws sketches as he tells his story, engaging the children. Before you know it, he has completed an entire drawing. Children are amazed to see the art in progress.

Clay returns to Alabama periodically to visit family in Birmingham, Selma, and Mobile. About four years ago, he visited his elementary school, Robinson Elementary, in Fairfield, and also the Bessemer Public Library, where the mayor of Bessemer presented him with the keys to the city. 

"Alabama has a rich heritage," says Clay, who plans to retire near Tuskegee. "Today's children do not remember how things were," says Clay, referring to the Civil Rights Movement. "Children today can benefit from all the growth in race relations."

Clay relates that when he was growing up, there were not many books with African American characters and it was difficult for African Americans to check books out of the library. His mother read to Clay and his siblings to foster their reading skills. "Today's books show how blacks contributed to history. Libraries are important to show children a balanced view of things. Kids today have the advantage of computers, libraries, and educational TV programs," he says. Clay feels that race relations have improved in Alabama, citing Birmingham's support of American Idol Ruben Studdard several months ago. "Focus on the good, and eventually our children will get a sense of what life is all about."

Students may purchase Clay's books during his visit, and he makes sure to autograph every one. Original artwork from Clay's books is also for sale. In addition to schools and libraries, Clay also visits colleges and professional organizations. For more information on Wil Clay, visit his web site at www.wilclay.com.