When William Joyce’s book, Santa Calls, arrived in Abilene in 1993 Abilene seemed to have changed forever. Dr. Gary McCaleb, then- Mayor of Abilene, read this book to an elementary school class and began to dream of a place where children’s picture book illustrations could be preserved, celebrated, and brought to life. Thus, the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature was born. Growing up in Abilene, it was always very evident that our community appreciated and prioritized art and education. Our school districts regard fine art as a necessity for well-rounded students, the local government passionately pursues artistic revenue streams of tourism, and nonprofits in the area work tirelessly to provide fine art opportunities that inspire creativity for people from all walks of life. It is those same people who prioritized artistic progress that transformed the old Grace Museum garage, once known as the Rhodes building, into a magical sanctuary for art and literacy. It is an honor to be a small part in the NCCIL history. The privilege of sharing our work and having the opportunity to continue the NCCIL’s legacy beyond the 25th year is not lost on me. With an innovative and proactive board partnered with a passionate and qualified team, we hope to make the visionaries and hardworking Abilenian’s who once dreamed of such a magical place proud. May every guest that enters our building, stop by the book store, create in our studio, or feel the profound joy and creative inspiration that only our artists at the NCCIL can provide. Here’s to inspiring creativity for another 25 years.