Category Archives: Arts@Clark

Updates on anything involving or sponsored by Arts@Clark.

Local artist Robin McCahill will be hosting two events on September 16th! There will be a drop-in talk from 12:30 to 1:30 in the Community Room downstairs, where Robin’s art is currently on display; Robin will discuss both her work and fiber art techniques in general. This event is open to all and does not require signups.

Then there will be a workshop from 2:00 to 4:00 in the Makerspace area of the Children’s Room, where patrons will learn how to create their own simple felted wool puppet! Workshop participants must be at least 10 years old. Space is also limited and signups are required; you can either call the Library at 203-393-2103 or stop by the main desk to sign up.

Both events are free, and supplies for the workshop are provided. And remember, you don’t have to attend the drop-in talk if you are attending the workshop, or vice-versa!

Our Arts@Clark! exhibit for August and September will feature the works of local artist Robin McCahill. She will also be hosting a crafting workshop in mid-September, so keep an eye on our Event Calendar!

Robin is from Thomaston, Connecticut. She is a fiber and felting artist who enjoys exploring its two- and three-dimensional qualities. Her work is inspired by nature, textures, colors, creatures, myths and legends, magic, science, and mechanics. She designs and builds props and puppets for performers, as well as performing herself and creating wearable art and home décor.

Robin has been Art Director for Cheshire Youth Theater for 5 seasons, directing kids in plays like Lion King Jr., Singing in the Rain, Moana, Matilda, and coming soon, Shrek Jr. the Musical! She also hosts workshops for both children and adults at Artsplace in Cheshire, as well as libraries, schools, colleges, museums, art centers, rehab centers, and at her studio. She is a bike-fitting specialist and owner of Intuit Bike Fit LLC, and is a licensed massage therapist.

Arts@Clark! and Clark Memorial Library are proud to present the Fourth Annual Public Art Exhibit! The event will take place on Sunday, August 6th, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM, and is free to attend; parking will be available at the Bethany First Church of Christ (511 Amity Road) and Bethany Historical Society (512 Amity Road).

This free outdoor exhibit will feature works by local artists in painting, sculpture, drawing, quilts, pottery, site-specific installation and more on the Library grounds in scenic Bethany Connecticut. It is part of Clark Memorial Library’s summer programming and exemplifies its mission to Engage, Connect, and Grow.

This year’s theme of “All Together Now” celebrates how the arts create opportunities to connect and share the unique nature of Bethany in a lively, supportive outdoor experience. Join us as we come together for an afternoon of art exhibits, children’s activities, live music, and baked goods. We hope to see you there!

There are four special activities taking place this summer at Clark Memorial Library: the Friends of the Library’s Croquet Our Way event on June 17th, our Teddy Bear Tea children’s event on June 22nd, the All Together Now! House-Building Project in July, and the Fourth Annual Public Art Exhibit on August 6th.
Make sure to keep them all in mind as the summer continues, and check the Calendar of Events for ongoing programs and other local events, too!

Croquet Our Way
Saturday, June 17, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Join the Friends of the Library for croquet, snacks,
and a silent auction! $5 per individual – $15.00 per family

Teddy Bear Tea
Thursday, June 22, 3:00 – 4:00 PM
A tea party for children and their favorite stuffed animals!
Sign-ups required – space is limited.

All Together Now! House-Building Project
July 19-22 & 26-29
A special Makerspace program –
build a dream house and watch it become part of “Clarkville”!

Fourth Annual Public Art Exhibit
Sunday, August 6, 1:00 – 5:00 PM
A free community event celebrating the Bethany community
and local artists. This year’s theme is “All Together Now”

A reception will be held on Saturday, April 10 with the local artists featured in our Arts@Clark! exhibit for June and July, Diane Chandler and Abbey Catalano.

Diane Chandler is an award-winning representational painter who resides in Wallingford, CT. After several years of focusing on portraits, she has been experimenting with other subjects; plants, trees, landscapes. She aspires to create arresting images that invoke a visceral reaction with viewers.

Abbey Catalano just completed her junior year as a Ceramics major at Massachusetts College of Art and Design in Boston, MA. Her work has been featured in several juried exhibitions at MASS Art. This past year she attended a week-long workshop in clay at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts in Maine as well as the National Conference for the Education on Ceramic Arts in Ohio. A resident of Hamden and graduate of Hamden Hall Country Day School, Abbey has participated in Clark Memorial Library’s Annual Summer Outdoor Exhibits in Bethany, CT for the past two years.

Diane’s oil paintings are on display in the Community Room downstairs; Abbey’s ceramic sculptures are in the display cabinets just outside the Community Room. Come to the reception for a chance to not only see their creations, but talk with the artists themselves!

Remember, the deadline for the Fourth Annual Public Art Exhibit‘s Call For Artists is Thursday, June 15! If you are interested in taking part, you can find the Application Form and more information about the event on the Arts@Clark! page of the Library’s website. Applications should be submitted to artsatclark@gmail.com; if you have any questions about the event or the application process, you can ask via the same email address or by calling the Library at 203-393-2103.

Clark Memorial Library’s children’s programming starts up again this week!
Throughout the summer, there will be morning Storytime sessions and unique Makerspace activities offered on Wednesday and Saturday of each week. Arts@Clark activities will be offered on Fridays, and the art displays in the Community room will remain available to visit. Be sure to check out the Calendar of Events to keep track of everything we have planned!

Our first Summer Makerspace activity, Spirograph Art, will take place on Saturday, June 3rd from 12:30 to 4:30 PM. Children will create colorful spirograph designs that they can turn into cards or pendants!

There will be a pause in Clark Memorial Library’s children’s programming
from Tuesday May 16 through Wednesday May 31,
to give the staff time to prepare for our summer activities and programs.
Programming will resume on June 1.
The Library will continue to provide all other services during this period.
Keep an eye on the event calendar!

Arts@Clark! Presents:
James Vanderberg art exhibit continues through May!
Clark Memorial Library,

Have you seen the art exhibit in the Library’s Community Room? Throughout April and May, the exhibit features the work of local artist James Vanderberg. James moved to Bethany with his family in July of 2019 from Brooklyn, New York; he has taught Studio Art and Art History, and is currently the Educator for High School, University, and Community Engagement at the Yale Center for British Art. His art has also been featured in our past Annual Public Art Exhibits!

You can stop by any time during Library hours to visit the art exhibit. The Community Room is at the end of the right-hand hallway off of the Library’s side entrance.

A picture of James Vanderberg with some of his paintings.

Clark Memorial Library Children’s Programs
The following programs will be offered for children throughout April:

Maker Wednesdays
For grades K-5. Join us for Makerspace activities all month. Drop in: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

Family Storytimes – Wednesdays and Saturdays
For all ages. Enjoy a lively read aloud and then check out books to take home to read, read, read. Bring a friend! Drop in: 10:30 AM – 11:00 AM.

Friday Arts@Clark for Children and Families
For all ages. Stop in Friday afternoon to enjoy our ongoing art exhibits and see what’s new in the Children’s Room. Drop in: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

Saturdays are Maker Days!
For all ages. Come explore the Makerspace every Saturday afternoon. Come for a visit and create something! Drop in: 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM.