Illustrator Mauro Evangelista Dies at 60, Founder of Ars in Fabula

Mauro Evangelista, a visionary illustrator and key figure in the Marche region's cultural scene, has died at age 60 after a long illness. Born in Macerata in 1963, he studied at the Accademia di Belle Arti in Venice. In 2001, he founded Ars in Fabula, a prestigious illustration school housed in Palazzo Compagnoni Marefoschi by Luigi Vanvitelli, which made Macerata the Italian capital of illustrated books. Evangelista was a three-time winner of the Premio Andersen and published with Giunti, Rizzoli, Gallucci, and Fabbri. He also served as artistic director of Libriamoci, the illustrated book festival that for over 25 years hosted artists and publishers at Galleria Antichi Forni and Palazzo Buonaccorsi. Elena Pasoli, director of the Bologna Children's Book Fair, paid tribute on social media, recalling their 20-year friendship and collaboration. Illustrator Barbara Savini expressed gratitude for his encouragement and guidance. Evangelista is remembered as a refined artist and generous teacher.