TOLEDO, OH — Live Arts Toledo, in partnership with Starlite Theater Group, announces An Evening with Dave Eggers, a special literary event taking place June 11, 2026 at the historic Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle.
This one-night event marks the national tour launch of internationally acclaimed author Dave Eggers and celebrates the release of his highly anticipated new novel, Contrapposto (publishing June 9). Known for his expansive storytelling and cultural impact, Eggers will offer Toledo audiences a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of today’s most influential literary voices at the start of a major national tour.
The evening will feature a moderated conversation with Amanda Uhle, Executive Director and Publisher of McSweeney's, the celebrated literary nonprofit, literary journal, and publisher that Eggers founded. Together, they will explore the origins of Contrapposto, a novel nearly two decades in the making, as well as Eggers’ creative process, artistic influences, and the evolving role of art and storytelling in contemporary culture. The program will also include an audience Q&A and an onstage book signing.
Contrapposto is a sweeping, character-driven novel that follows two artists across more than six decades, tracing a lifelong relationship shaped by friendship, creative partnership, and ambition. Set against the backdrop of the global art world, the novel examines the tension between artistic integrity and commercial success, while offering a deeply human story about love, rivalry, and devotion to craft. The work draws directly from Eggers’ own background as a visual artist, making it a uniquely personal addition to his body of work and his first adult novel in five years.
With his work spanning bestselling novels, nonfiction, and literary publishing, Eggers has sold more than five million books in the United States and has been recognized with numerous honors, including finalist distinctions for the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award. His appearance in Toledo offers a rare chance to engage with a major literary figure in an intimate and architecturally stunning setting.
“The Peristyle seems an incredibly appropriate backdrop for discussing Contrapposto,” says Zak Vassar, President & CEO of Live Arts Toledo. “With the novel’s references to classical sculpture and the art world, I can’t imagine a more fitting setting to host Dave Eggers on this tour.”
Attendees will have multiple ways to engage with the event. Standard admission ($25) provides access to the 7PM program, while the Book Bundle option ($45) includes a copy of Contrapposto. A limited number of VIP tickets ($65) are available and offer an exclusive pre-event reception and meet-and-greet with Eggers, along with a signed copy of the book. Books will also be available for purchase onsite in partnership with the Sylvania-based bookseller, Finch & Fern.
Event Details
Event: An Evening with Dave Eggers
Date: June 11, 2026
Time: 6PM VIP Reception | 7PM Program | 8PM Q&A
Location: Toledo Museum of Art Peristyle
Ticket Options
• Standard Admission ($25): Includes access to the main program at 7PM
• Book Bundle ($45) – Includes admission and a copy of Contrapposto
• VIP Experience ($65) – Includes a signed copy of Contrapposto and an exclusive pre-event meet-and-greet with Dave Eggers at 6PM
Tickets are available now at liveartstoledo.com/dave-eggers.
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About Dave Eggers
Dave Eggers is a bestselling, internationally recognized author and artist. He has sold more than five million books in the U.S. and is widely known across the country.
He is the author of The Circle, The Every, A Hologram for the King, What Is the What, The Monk of Mokha, and others. He founded McSweeney’s literary magazine and co-founded 826 National, a network of youth writing centers.
Eggers is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, and National Book Critics Circle Award, and a recipient of the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, American Book Award, and Newbery Medal.
He is also a classically trained visual artist. His new novel is the first to draw directly from his background in the art world.
About Live Arts Toledo
Live Arts Toledo, formerly the Toledo Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA), is the region’s hub for live performance, cultural education, and community connection. Bringing together the Toledo Symphony, Toledo Ballet, Toledo Jazz Orchestra, Toledo Symphony School of Music, and Toledo Symphony Youth Orchestras, Live Arts Toledo presents more than 200 nights of programming each year, offering unforgettable experiences that stir the senses and strengthen the cultural fabric of Northwest Ohio.
Media Contact:
Emily McCready, Marketing Manager, 419.418.0122, emccready@liveartstoledo.com
