Upcoming Programs

 Opening Reception : Saturday, March 9, 1 PM - 4 PM
Rip, Snip, Connect,: Narrative Collage Workshop : Sunday, March 24, 2 PM - 4 PM
You're invited to a no-art-experience-required workshop for all ages. Come experiment with materials, using collage to tell stories about places where we find meaning. 



Saturday, March 16 at 1 PM, Central Library Auditorium 
The Zentangle® Method is an easy-to-learn, relaxing, and fun way to create beautiful images by drawing structured patterns. Almost anyone can use this drawing style to create beautiful images, increase your focus and expand your sense of creativity. 



Mondays at 10:30 AM in March and April, Central Library Auditorium
Join us for a lively sing along with Ed the Music Man!  Suitable for all ages, from babies and their caregivers to preschoolers.


Art and Creativity:
Book Recommendations
Adult Recommendations 
Our programs this month are all about celebrating creativity, so why not brush up with these artsy books? This month's recommendations come from Ellen, Mary, Jim, and Kevin at Central Library. 
 
Picture This  by Lynda Barry

Cartoonist Lynda Barry asks why do most children draw while most adults don't and how can adults begin again? Very inspirational!
 
Recommended by Ellen
Pop culture meets Japanese traditional art. Be wowed by illustrations of masterpieces right from our own MFA!

Recommended by Mary
 
Prose explores two centuries of tormented relationships and outrageous behavior in these mini-biographies of women who have inspired artists ranging from Lewis Carroll to Man Ray.

Recommended by Kevin
While everyone else has failed to discover the secret of eternal youth, young and handsome Dorian Gray seems to have succeeded beyond his wildest dreams.    But why does he keep locked in a secret room the strikingly realistic portrait that he posed for some years ago?
 
Recommended by Jim

Still looking for more?  See the Staff Picks page! 
YA (Young Adult) Recommendations
Being a teen is hard, art can make it a bit more bearable . These recommendations come from Lilly and Melinda at Central. 


Sierra Santiago is a mural artist in Brooklyn. When she notices that her paintings have begun to change inexplicably, Sierra confronts her abuelo and discovers that she is a shadowshaper: one who can call upon the spirits of the dead through art. 
 
Recommended by Lilly

Frances is a very good law clerk at a ruthless New York law firm, but is that who she actually is? Frances navigates the big city, friendships, and her own identity in this clever coming of age graphic novel.


Recommended by Melinda



 
Looking for a couple of extra recommendations? Check out our YA Staff Picks! 
Children's Recommendations
These books have beautiful illustrations. Come check them out and see for yourself! This month's recommendations come from Ellen, Kerry, and Jim at Central.  
 
The Mysteries of Harris Burdick  by Chris Van Allsburg

A series of gorgeous black and white pencil drawings are all that's left of the short stories of the mysterious (and missing) Harris Burdick. Each has a title, a caption, and nothing more - the rest is left to the reader.
 
Recommended by Ellen
Watch little Art, as he demonstrates his skills and creativity with a paintbrush, with an eye toward an exhibit on the family kitchen's refrigerator door!  
 
 
Recommended by Jim
A lonely young girl draws her way into fantastical worlds in this stunningly beautiful story about the power of art and imagination. 

Recommended by Kerry
When Petra and Calder find themselves at the center of an international art scandal, they must use their knowledge of Vermeer to find the clues and solve the puzzles that will lead them to the artist's missing painting before time runs out.

Recommended by Kerry
ESL Volunteer Spotlight 
This month, we are featuring one of our West Branch/Ciampa Manor English as a Second Language (ESL)  Volunteers, Elise. Elise started volunteering in July 2018 as a way to get more involved in the community and to put her passion for languages to use. 

Elise has been pleasantly surprised by the joyful and inclusive environment as well as the drive of the students. She says, "I believe that the open environment allows people to feel comfortable asking questions and engage wholeheartedly, which attributes to the overall success of the program."

Elise has been to seven Latin American countries (Costa Rica, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil) and studied abroad in Argentina. She also speaks Spanish and some Portuguese, which has proven to be very helpful. Thank you for volunteering for the ESL program, Elise!

If you have any questions about our ESL classes or how to volunteer, please contact Brigid Pigott, Literacy/Volunteer Coordinator, bpigott@minlib.net or 617.623.5000 x.2935.
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