Meet May's Artist-in-Residence: Linda Best

Art has always fascinated me. The creative process takes you out of everyday life and transports you into a world of your own making. That is not to say that it is always easy. Like all artists I am often frustrated that the work of my hands doesn’t match my imagination. It is one reason that I believe it is critical for artists to continue to learn and grow by taking lessons and through practice. I am fortunate that I am able to take many of the workshops sponsored by the Franklin County Art Alliance and have the privilege of being taught by some outstanding artists. I have also taken lessons with many local artists including Anne Gobin and Jeff Barnhart. The advent of the internet has now made it possible to study with artists all over the world. There are excellent instructional videos available on YouTube and I am currently enrolled in a course of online lessons which have improved my drawings and paintings dramatically.

Primarily an oil painter, I will try any medium and enjoy the process of creation as much as the finished product. Lately I have been focusing on more pencil drawings and watercolor. My work is generally realistic however I find abstract work to be a relaxing counterpoint to the attention to detail needed for realism.

I am a member of the Franklin County Art Alliance and currently the editor of the newsletter. I also belong to The Waynesboro Studio Club and The Fulton County Arts Council. I have shown my work and received awards in all of their respective shows.

I live in Fort Loudon with my husband Barry and our five cats. We are able to look out our windows and see Mount Parnell and Jordan’s Knob everyday throughout the changing seasons. We are privileged to reside in a beautiful area and I try to bring that beauty and tranquility into my work. I am drawn to the colors of fall which is reflected in many of my paintings. I invite you to come into my world.

Stop by the library this month to see works by Linda.

Ojibwe Decorative Beadwork

Tuesdays 5:30-7pm, May 16, 23, 30, June 6, 13, 2023

The Ojibwe/Chippewa are currently located in Northern USA and Southern Canada. They are famous around the world for developing an art form that is unique. With the influx of European Traders came glass beads so small that they were called “seed beads”. During their expedition, Lewis and Clark carried 30lbs of seed beads to barter with First Peoples for various items or services, thus introducing European glass beads to various Nations. Seed beads are used to decorate Ojibwe blankets, clothing, moccasins, bandolier bags and other personal items. This program will give participants the opportunity to select a traditional seed bead design, create a bead color scheme and construct their chosen design on fabric. A short history of seed beads and their significance to the Ojibwe people and other Nations will also be presented. There is a small $10 fee for materials for this program. Register by contacting the library.

Book, Plant, and Bake Sale and Flea Market

Friday, May 19, 8:00-5:00

Join Fulton County Library & North End Garden Club for our annual Book, Plant & Bake Sale & Flea Market. Lunch stand while supplies last.

Proceeds to benefit the library.

You may drop off donations of plants and baked goods at the library on Thursday, May 18, from 9-12. Please label your plants and baked goods so we know what they are! Thank you!

Support the library with this wreath raffle

We are raffling this beautiful wreath! Get ready for Memorial Day or July 4 with this patriotic wreath. Get an entry to win. Entries to win are $2 each or 6 entries for $10. We will hold the drawing on May 24 after which the winner will be contacted.

There are a few ways to enter. You can enter at the front desk, you can mail a check and put “wreath” in the note, or you can give online and put “wreath” in the note section.

Summer Quest Kickoff: Adam Swartz Puppets

June 3, 4pm, Cowans Gap amphitheater

Heroes on Hand

Join forces with puppet superheroes to save the day! The "Heroes on Hand" will need lots of help from the audience during their comic book inspired adventures. This show features three different stories about friendship, citizenship, heroes and villains, and includes original music (there's even a puppet rap battle!) Heroes on Hand celebrates different ways of helping and cooperating and brings out the hero in children and adults!

This is our kickoff event and more will be coming - walking story times, ingergenerational programs and more. The theme is All Together Now and we look forward to spending time with you!

Coming soon: July Show of Miniature Art at the Library

Bee all that you can bee

For the month of July, we will be having a Show of Miniature Art at the library. What is mini art? Pieces must be smaller than 5x7 inches although the frames can be larger. 3-D pieces must have a base of 5x7 or smaller and be shorter than 7 inches. So, get ready to drop off items the last week of June - our theme for the show is garden life because we’re doing it in conjunction with Fulton County in Bloom. So, start creating and we’ll have submission forms available at the library next month.

We're always here

We'll be closed on Memorial Day, but that doesn't mean you can't check out items. Libby and Hoopla (and our many other online resources) are always available. Be sure to see what's been added lately and enjoy! Find our many resources here.

This month there are bonus borrows on Hoopla. Bonus borrows are certain titles that are free to us and free to you (they don't use one of your monthly borrows). Enjoy!

Ongoing Groups

Don't forget that Adult Book Group, Fiction to Film, Preschool Story Hour, Play Grow Learn, Mindfulness and Meditation, Hum and Strum, and the Yarn Group all take place on a regular basis.

To learn more

You can always find out what's happening at the library on our calendar on our website and through our column in the Fulton County News. We look forward to seeing you soon!