The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

WAITSBURG - Weller Public Library is offering "Art at the Library" for kids to make art inspired by picture books. The program offers pre-school and primary grade students a guided art experience twice a month through August. On the first and second Saturdays of the month, a themed picture book is presented to inspire the kids to be creative with art supplies provided for each project.

At the first event on Saturday, February 3, Library Aide Jesse Brown read "Many Shapes of Clay" by Kenesha Sneed to the youngsters. The author is a notable ceramicist whose story is about creating and handling loss. Students were then given an array of colorful clay to create whatever they wanted.

On Saturday, February 10, students tackled animal drawings inspired by "Pigasso Meets Mootisse" by Nina Laden. The picture book follows animal versions of famous painters Picasso and Matisse. It shows young readers how friendship friction can end in masterpieces when they work together.

The program runs on the first and second Saturdays of each month at 10 a.m.

Anyone unable to attend may pick up art kits at the library. "Art at the Library" is made possible with funding from the Arts Build Communities grant from ArtWalla.

Young artists had another opportunity to create on Saturday, February 10 at Simply Sawdust on Main Street in Waitsburg. Gloria Wilson invited kids to her workshop to create free Valentine's Day ornaments for the "special people" in their lives. The kids decorated precut wooden hearts provided by Wilson with various hearts, stickers, candy, and other colorful elements.

Thanks to Weller Library and Simply Sawdust for introducing children to the wonderful world of art.