AUGUSTA — Stephen Costanza — an illustrator, author and musician — plans to share a multimedia presentation of his book “The King of Ragtime: Scott Joplin,” from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, in the Danforth Gallery of Jewett Hall, on the campus of the University of Maine at Augusta, 46 University Drive.

From sketches to finished art, including slides and animations, Costanza will give a behind-the-scenes peek at the process of the book’s development and will bring the joy, rhythm and lively spirit of Joplin’s iconic ragtime music through live piano performance.

Costanza’s book has garnered accolades from critics and won the 2022 Golden Kite Award for Picture Book illustration from the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Described as “pitch-perfect” by Publishers Weekly and “a biography as bouncy and colorful as ragtime itself” by Kirkus, the “melodic, flowing text goes beyond Joplin’s personal details to paint a picture of what life looked like for African Americans during the Jim Crow era,” according to Booklist.

Costanza is the author and illustrator of other award winning picture books, including “Mozart Finds a Melody,” “Vivaldi and the Invisible Orchestra,” as well as several other books for children, including “Noodleman the Pasta Superhero,” by April Sayre. He lives and works on North Haven.

This is the final event of The Great State of Illustration in Maine exhibition at the Danforth Gallery; the exhibition closes the following day.

Jewett Hall hours are Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The discussion and exhibition are both free and open to the public.

Follow the Danforth Gallery on Instagram and Facebook @UMADanforth and at danforth.uma.edu.

Check out other upcoming area events!