July 13, 2012
Of Lines and Layers, the 2nd Annual Grand Canyon Authors Symposium at the Museum of Northern Arizona will again offer the opportunity to join your favorite Colorado Plateau authors and archaeologists for an afternoon of readings, book signings, talks, and panel discussions on Saturday, July 28 from noon to 5 p.m.
Inspired by the Museum’s current exhibit Grand Archaeology: Excavation and Discovery along the Colorado River, this year’s Grand Canyon Authors Symposium will focus on archaeology and stories about the mighty Colorado River. Nineteen Grand Canyon authors and archaeologists will explore the Canyon through words and images.
Included in the author lineup are (in alphabetical order): Bob Audretsch, Jan Balsom, Ron Blakey, Elias Butler, Jim Collette, Brad Dimock, Matthew Henry Hall, Stephen Hirst, Don Keller, Brian Kranzler, Ivo Lucchitta, Tom Martin, Robert Mesta, Seth Muller, Tom Myers, Jason Nez, Wayne Ranney, Kim Spurr, and Scott Thybony.
In addition to the adult author sessions, children’s authors Matthew Henry Hall and Robert Mesta, and a group of MNA docents will offer children’s story reading, game playing, and an interactive archaeology dig activity.
Adult Author Sessions
MNA’s Branigar/Chase Auditorium
Noon–12:10 p.m.
Welcome/announcements, emceed by MNA Education Program Manager Kathy Farretta
12:10 p.m.–12:50 p.m.
Panel Discussion—Grand Archaeology: Sharing Science with Others
Meet the MNA and NPS archaeologists who worked on the project chronicled in MNA’s current exhibit Grand Archaeology: Excavation and Discovery along the Colorado River. Jan Balsom (NPS), Jason Nez (NPS), Kim Spurr (MNA), Brian Kranzler (MNA), Jim Collette (MNA), Don Keller (MNA) are contributing authors of MNA’s Grand Archaeology Plateau magazine, published in the spring of 2012.
1:00 p.m.–1:40 p.m.
Writings from the River: The Boatman’s Perspective
Brad Dimock and Tom Martin will delight you with stories and adventures of life past and present on the Colorado River.
1:50 p.m.–2:30 p.m.
A Canyon’s Hallowed History: Readings from an Intriguing Past
Scott Thybony and Bob Audretsch tell stories about ordinary people and their experiences in the canyon, from hikers to CCC workers who built many visitor amenities in Grand Canyon during the Great Depression.
2:40 p.m.–3:20 p.m.
Making a Very Long Story Short: Writing the Geologic History of the Grand Canyon
Ron Blakey, Ivo Lucchitta, and Wayne Ranney write about the Canyon from a geologist’s point of view. They will share their thoughts about how they teach the complicated geologic stories of the Canyon through their writing.
3:30 p.m.–4:10 p.m.
Canyon Dreamers, Canyon Doers: Famous Explorers and People of the Canyon
Eli Butler, Seth Muller, and Stephen Hirst will talk about people who have experienced the Canyon as explorers and hikers, as well as those who call it home.
4:20 p.m.–5:00 p.m.
Ten Years Over the Edge: The Grand Canyon Death Stories
Tom Myers will conclude our symposium with musings upon the occasion of the 10th anniversary of Over the Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon. His hope was that writing the book would save lives. What has changed over the past ten years?
Authors will sign books following each event, adjacent to the MNA Bookstore.
Author Activities for Children
Discovery Room and Grand Archaeology Exhibit Gallery
12:15 p.m.–1:05 p.m.
Matthew Henry Hall, Author of Phoebe and Chub
With the author of Phoebe and Chub, enjoy sing-alongs and interactive storytelling with ecological themes, sparked by a backcountry backpacking trip Matthew Henry Hall took into the Grand Canyon. Meet animals from the Grand Canyon, including Phoebe, a canyon tree frog; Phoebe’s best friend, Chub, a humpback chub; a heroic California condor; and more. Learn about endangered species and how people worked together to bring the California condor back to the wild.
1:15 p.m.–3:45 p.m.
Storytelling, Archaeology Activity, and Grand Canyon Adventure Game
Read stories and play Grand Canyon Adventure with MNA docents. Learn about archaeology with a hands-on activity in the Grand Archaeology exhibit. And listen to stories with Lois Hirst about her experiences living in the Grand Canyon at Supai, Arizona.
4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Robert Mesta, Author of Condor: Spirit of the Canyon
Learn about condors in the Grand Canyon and handle real condor eggs and feathers with Robert Mesta, author of Condor: Spirit of the Canyon. Mesta will tell stories with an interactive presentation on condors, followed by a reading from his book. He is an ornithologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who has spent his career working to protect, conserve, and recover threatened and endangered North American bird populations, with an emphasis on endangered birds of prey. The Arizona Book Publishing Association selected Condor: Spirit of the Canyon as the best fictional children’s book for 2008. It took second place in Arizona’s 2009 ONEBOOKAZ competition and was one of six finalists for the Arizona Governor’s Book Award for 2009.
The Grand Canyon Authors Symposium is open to the public and entrance is included with Museum admission. Museum members’ admission is free. The event is produced by MNA, with special thanks to the Grand Canyon Association. This event is part of the Colorado River Days, July 24–29, 2012. The Colorado River Days celebrate the Colorado River and raise awareness of Colorado River issues, especially pertaining to northern Arizona and the Grand Canyon. Through dialogue and education, ideas to keep water in the river, protect healthy flows, and prevent harmful water developments are explored. http://coloradoriverdaysflagstaff.tumblr.com/
The Museum of Northern Arizona is supported by Arizona Commission on the Arts, BBB Revenues from the City of Flagstaff, and Flagstaff Cultural Partners. The Museum sits at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, three miles north of historic downtown Flagstaff on Highway 180, scenic route to the Grand Canyon. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. More information about the Museum is available at 928.774.5213 or musnaz.org.