I think it’s a shame that more adults don’t flex their artistic muscles. As kids, we were constantly creating — whether that be with crayons, finger paint, markers, or craft supplies — and these pursuits were generally encouraged by adults around us (provided the finger paint didn’t end up on the wall, the couch, or the cat). As adults, we can be hesitant to explore our artistic side for fear that it won’t be “good”; children, on the other hand, rarely experience this apprehension, and that freedom from worry is part of what makes their art so charming! If you’re at all interested in exploring your creative side, perhaps a trip to the library is all you need to get started.
Every month, the library displays the work of a local artist in our Hoxie Gallery. This September, we’re excited to present our second annual Community Art Show, which is an exhibit featuring art created by locals of all ages. Last year’s show included acrylics and oils, watercolors, photographs, mixed media, yarn art, and more media.
All of the submissions were beautiful and unique, and the children’s work in particular was fascinating to see. The exhibit will be open for viewing during normal library hours, but we hope you’ll join us for the opening reception on Sept. 4 from 5-7 p.
m. to meet and celebrate some of the artists. It will surely inspire you to break out the paint and paper, as well! Speaking of inspiration, there are countless books available to check out that are sure to spark your creativity.
I personally love “Art Matters,” a short and stunning compilation of writings by Neil Gaiman on the subject of art that are accompanied by illustrations done by his longtime collaborator Chris Riddell. The book includes “Make Good Art,” Gaiman’s famous commencement speech delivered at the Philadelphia University of the Arts in 2012, which was also published on its own in 2013. You can read both in the span of an hour, and I all but guarantee you’ll want to head straight for the nearest craft store for supplies.
You may also be inspired by looking at some of the great art others have created. We have a large collection of art-related books in our general nonfiction section, but I always encourage folks looking for art books to look at the Oversize collection, which include coffee-table-style books full of large, gorgeous, high-quality photographs. It’s the next best thing to seeing the work in person.
And, SPEAKING OF ...
I hope you know that we have a variety of passes for discounted admission to various museums, including the RISD Museum, Florence Griswold Museum, and Slater Memorial Museum. A quick search through our online catalog will bring up tons of other books about art to get you started. “The Art of Photography,” “The Art of Calligraphy,” “The Art of Papermaking,” “The Art of Tattoo,” and “Mastering the Art of French Murder,” just to name a few.
Really, we have it all. Top Requested Books 1. “The Women” by Kristin Hannah 2.
“Swan Song” by Elin Hilderbrand 3. “The Wedding People” by Alison Espach 4. “Sandwich” by Catherine Newman 5.
“All the Colors of the Dark” by Chris Whitaker 6. “The God of the Woods” by Liz Moore 7. “Funny Story” by Emily Henry 8.
“The Housemaid is Watching” by Freida McFadden 9. “By Any Other Name” by Jodi Picoult 10. “The Cliffs” by Courtney Sullivan Top Requested DVDs 1.
“The Fall Guy” 2. “The Boy and the Heron” 3. “Civil War” 4.
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” 5. “Wicked Little Letters” 6. “IF” 7.
“The Boys in the Boat” 8. “LaRoy, Texas” 9. “Nomadland” 10.
“Challengers” This Week MONDAY — 2-4 p.m., Sewers in Stitches – Bring your supplies and practice your yarn art skills with others; 4-5 p.
m. – Eco Adventures – Join in weekly adventures to explore our local environment. This program is for grades 4-6; 4-5 p.
m., Stop Motion Monday – Learn how to create your own stop motion videos with handmade characters and scenes. For teens and tweens grades 4-12.
TUESDAY — 10-11:00 a.m., Youth Garden Club – Tweens and teens are invited to join us in the newly renovated garden in Wilcox Park; 11 a.
m.-12 p.m.
, Code with Botley 2.0 – Ages 4-7 can build mazes and play games with our Botley robots; 3:30-5/5-6:30, Tween Dungeons and Dragons – This program is for ages 8-12; 4-5:30 p.m.
, Teen Dungeons and Dragons – This program is for grades 7-12; 5-6:30 p.m., Tween Dungeons and Dragons – This program is for ages 8-12; 5:30-7:30 p.
m., Knit and Crochet Group – A friendly yarn craft club. WEDNESDAY — 9:30-10:00 a.
m., Essentrics Stretch in the Park – Bring a mat, bath towel, and water; 10-10:30 a.m.
, Storytime – A weekly storytime; 1-2 p.m., Tech Social – Each meeting, we’ll start with a guiding topic and then have time for questions and discussion.
This program will take place on Zoom AND in person, but pre-registration is required; 2-3 p.m., Animation Nation – Ages 9-12 are invited to create LEGO stop-motion movies in this summer-long, drop-in program; 2-3 p.
m., Film Club – We will discuss “My Name is Loh Kiwan” and “The Visitor” ; 3-4 p.m.
, Family Olympics in the Park – Stop by Wilcox Park for some family fun; 3-4 p.m., Tween Creative Club – Share your latest creative project with other tweens, and hear what others have been working on; 4-5 p.
m., Pride Club – Hang out with other LGBTQIA2+ teens and allies; 4:30-6:00 p.m.
, Tween Dungeons and Dragons – This program is for ages 8-12; 5:30-7 p.m., Silent Book Club – Bring your own book, enjoy some quiet reading, and then discuss the books you’ve loved (or hated) recently.
THURSDAY — 8-9 a.m., Kindergarten Gear Up –Space is limited and registration is required; 10 a.
m.-1 p.m.
, Friends Pop-up Book Sale – Takes place on the library esplanade; 2-3 p.m., Trash to Treasure – This week we will be making bubble wrap beehives; 4-5 p.
m., Tween Lego Club – Showcase your master builder skills with our LEGO kits; 4-5 p.m.
, Teen Crafternoon – Enjoy weekly crafting activities and snacks; 5:30-7:30 p.m., Chess Club – Players of all skill levels are welcome.
SATURDAY — 10 a.m.-12:30 p.
m., Westerly Writer’s Group – Share work, discuss readings, and write in response to prompts in this group-led writing workshop. Cassie Skobrak is an adult services librarian at Westerly Library & Wilcox Park.
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