I think it’s a shame that more adults don’t explore their artistic abilities. As children, we were constantly creating – whether with crayons, finger paints, markers, or craft supplies – and these activities were generally encouraged by the adults around us (assuming the finger paints didn’t end up on the wall, sofa, or cat). As adults, we sometimes hesitate to explore our artistic side for fear that it might not be “good.” Children, on the other hand, rarely have this fear, and this carefreeness is part of what makes their art so charming! If you’re at all interested in exploring your creative side, a trip to the library may be all you need to get started.
Each month the library showcases the work of a local artist in our Hoxie Gallery. This September we are excited to present our second annual Community Art Show, an exhibition of artwork by locals of all ages. Last year’s exhibition included acrylic and oil paintings, watercolors, photography, 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 exhibition can be viewed during regular library hours, but we hope you’ll come to our opening reception on September 4th from 5-7pm to meet and celebrate some of the artists. It will surely inspire you to get out your paint and paper, too!
Speaking of inspiration, there are countless books to inspire your creativity. I personally love “Art Matters,” a short and impressive compilation of Neil Gaiman’s writings on art, accompanied by illustrations by his long-time collaborator Chris Riddell. The book includes “Make Good Art,” Gaiman’s famous commencement address at Philadelphia University of the Arts in 2012, which was also published separately in 2013. You can read both in an hour, and I guarantee you’ll want to immediately run to the nearest craft store to pick up materials.
You may also be inspired by the great art of others. We have a large collection of art-related books in our general nonfiction section, but I always recommend that people looking for art books check out the Oversize collection, which includes coffee table books full of large, beautiful, high-quality photography. It’s the next best thing to being able to see the works in person. And speaking of which… I hope you know that we have a variety of passes for discounted admission to various museums, including the RISD Museum, the Florence Griswold Museum, and the Slater Memorial Museum.
A quick search of our online catalog will bring you countless other books on art to get you started. The Art of Photography, The Art of Calligraphy, The Art of Papermaking, The Art of Tattooing, and Mastering the Art of the French Murder, to name a few. We really have it all.
Most 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 Darkness” by Chris Whitaker
6. “The God of the Forest” by Liz Moore
7. “Funny Story” by Emily Henry
8. “The Maid Watching” by Freida McFadden
9. “By Any Other Name” by Jodi Picoult
10. “The Cliffs” by Courtney Sullivan
Most requested DVDs
1. “A Colt for all occasions”
2. “The Boy and the Heron”
3. “Civil War”
4. “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”
5. “Naughty Little Letters”
6. “IF”
7. “The Boys in the Boat”
8. “LaRoy, Texas”
9. “Nomadland”
10. “Challenger”
This week
MONDAY – 2-4pm, Sewers in Stitches – Bring your materials and practice your yarn art skills with others; 4-5pm – Eco Adventures – Join weekly adventures to explore our local environment. This program is for 4th-6th graders; 4-5pm, Stop Motion Monday – Learn how to create your own stop motion videos with handmade characters and scenes. For teens and tweens in 4th-12th graders.
TUESDAY – 10am-11am, Youth Garden Club – Tweens and teens are invited to join us in the newly renovated garden in Wilcox Park; 11am-12pm, Code with Botley 2.0 – 4-7 year olds can build mazes and play with our Botley robots; 3:30pm-5pm/5-6:30pm, Tween Dungeons and Dragons – This program is for 8-12 year olds; 4-5:30pm, Teen Dungeons and Dragons – This program is for 7-12th graders; 5-6:30pm, Tween Dungeons and Dragons – This program is for 8-12 year olds; 5:30pm-7:30pm, Knitting and Crocheting Group – A friendly crafts club.
WEDNESDAY – 9:30-10:00 am, Essentrics Stretch in the Park – Bring a mat, beach towel, and water; 10-10:30 am, Storytime – A weekly storytime; 1-2 pm, Tech Social – Each meeting we start with a guiding topic and then have time for questions and discussion. This program will be held via Zoom AND in person, but pre-registration is required; 2-3 pm, Animation Nation – 9-12 year olds are invited to create LEGO stop motion films in this summer-long drop-in program; 2-3 pm, Film Club – We’ll discuss “My Name is Loh Kiwan” and “The Visitor”; 3-4 pm, Family Olympics in the Park – Stop by Wilcox Park for some family fun; 3-4 pm, Tween Creative Club – Share your latest creative project with other tweens and hear what others have been working on; 4-5pm, Pride Club – Meet with other LGBTQIA2+ teens and allies; 4:30-6pm, Tween Dungeons and Dragons – This program is for ages 8-12; 5:30-7pm, Silent Book Club – Bring your own book, enjoy quiet reading, and then discuss the books you’ve loved (or hated) lately.
THURSDAY – 8am-9am, Kindergarten Gear Up – Space is limited and registration is required; 10am-1pm, Friends Pop-Up Book Flea Market – Held on the library esplanade; 2pm-3pm, From Trash to Treasure – This week we will be making beehives out of bubble wrap; 4pm-5pm, Tween Lego Club – Show off your building skills with our LEGO kits; 4pm-5pm, Teen Crafternoon – Enjoy weekly craft activities and snacks; 5:30pm-7:30pm, Chess Club – Players of all skill levels are welcome.
SATURDAY – 10:00 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 the adult services librarian at Westerly Library & Wilcox Park.
