Richard Michelson

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Art dealer, poet, and children’s book author Richard Michelson shows you that it is never too late to try something new, you have no idea where it might take you! Rich grew up in East New York,  Brooklyn, and at 19 he got a job traveling around the Midwest selling fine-art reproductions. Before that, Rich had never stepped foot in a museum or an art gallery! A few years later, after a fateful ping pong match (Clip 1 below), Rich ended up with enough money to open his first art gallery in 1976, and in 1979 Rich ended up in Amherst and opened up R. Michelson Galleries (Clip 2). It was in Amherst, after taking on his first artist, illustrator Barry Moser, that Rich was introduced to the world of illustrated books. Richard says he didn’t grow up reading many books and thought picture books did not have a place in his life. (Clip 3) It was through representing Moser that Richard met prolific children’s book illustrators such as Eric Carle and Jane Yolen, and he decided to learn more and delve deeper into the art form. Through his research, he realized that his love of art and his love of poetry could be combined in a children’s book! (Clip 4)

In 1993, Richard published his first children’s book, Did You Say Ghosts? And he’s been publishing children’s books, alongside his poetry for adults, ever since! Many of his books delve into social justice issues and explore the richness of Jewish heritage. Richard had a rather secular upbringing with very little Jewish education, but a transformative moment unfolded as Richard witnessed his wife, Jennifer, and his close friend and fellow writer Julius Lester convert to Judaism. At around the same time that Richard’s children approached the age of Bar and Bat Mitzvah, Aaron Lansky opened the Yiddish Book Center in Amherst, making Richard realize he wanted to learn more about his own Jewish heritage and ancestors. Driven by a newfound desire for connection and understanding, Richard’s books allowed him to explore and learn more about himself, his family, and Judaism. After visiting the Yiddish Book Center with his children he wrote, Too Young For Yiddish, as well as other books exploring Judaism (Clip 5). So far, he has published 19 children’s books and he does not plan on stopping anytime soon! The greatest lesson we can learn from Richard Michelson is to just be curious! Imagine what can happen if you just remain open and curious! What new friendships might you make? What new places might you explore? What new lessons might you learn? (Clip 6)