Artist shares love for reading with Park Elementary students

Park Elementary boys learned about the importance of reading — even when it comes to drawing dragons and other huge, scaly creatures — last week when illustrator Stefan Johnson visited the school.

As part of the Girls Read/Boys Read program organized by district librarian Naomi Shadis, Johnson shared his love for reading and drawing with boys while Shadis worked with girl students on reading projects.

“When I was their age, I really started getting into reading and drawing,” Johnson said.
Johnson toured on exhibit shows for 10 years selling his artwork, which at that time focused mainly on dragons from different parts of the world.

"But I got to a certain point and realized I needed more information,” he said. “Actually, the reason I decided to go back to college is because of the research I did on my own on dragons.”

Now, Johnson is studying anthropology and mythology pursuing a degree at the University of Minnesota.

“I read all the time — a ridiculous amount — on native cultures and their artwork.”

For the full story, check out the Tuesday, May 27 print edition of the Leader.

(Lesley Christianson is a staff writer for the Hutchinson Leader.)
christianson@hutchinsonleader.com