Mary GrandPre autographs a reproduction of the Cincinnati Opera Carmen illustration for Michael Moore, advisory committee member of the Opera's Young Professionals Organization. (Philip Groshong photo)

Closson's Weston Art Gallery in Hyde Park Square presented The Art of Storytelling, an exhibition and benefit for the Cincinnati Opera, featuring the works of famed illustrator Mary GrandPre. Famous for painting the illustrations for the Harry Potter books, GrandPre has been featured on the cover of Time, and has done work for Atlantic Monthly, Random House, Dell and McGraw Hill. She worked extensively on the Dreamworks animated film Antz. This exhibition featured many of GrandPre's works from the Harry Potter series and from other books, as well the Carmen illustration commissioned by the Cincinnati Opera.

An estimated 700 guests came and went during the three-hour opening reception. All of GrandPre's drawings and half of all the pastel paintings were sold. A portion of the proceeds from all of the sales of GrandPre's work will be donated to the Cincinnati Opera. The exhibition continues through July 31.