Category Archives: Events

Updates about one-time events.

Arts@Clark! and Clark Memorial Library invite you to join us
August 3rd from 1:00-5:00 PM for our Sixth Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit:

“Spellbound: Art, Poetry, and the Enchantment of Reading”

This “plein air” experience is in the tradition of our famous Connecticut art colonies; engage with local artists while enjoying fresh air, activities, and live music. Witness countless styles of visual art, from sculpture to painting to needlework – and this year, for the first time, the artistry of our local poets and writers as well!

This event is our gift to the community and is free to all participants – artists, would-be artists, and those who are simply looking to enjoy, renew, and refresh on a beautiful summer afternoon.

Parking will be available at the Bethany Historical Society (512 Amity Road) and Bethany First Church of Christ Congregational (511 Amity Road).

Mark your calendars – we hope to see you there!

Dragon Eye Adventure is back!
June 18th, 4:00-5:00 PM, & June 21st, 11:00-12:00 PM

Sculpt, decorate, and paint a two-dimensional clay dragon profile, then choose from our special collection of glass dragon eyes to give your sculpture a spark of life!

Ages 7 and up. This is a drop-in activity, but space is limited – arrive on time (or early) to make sure you get a spot! Call the Library at 203-393-2103 for more information.

Our Children’s Room has been transformed for our Summer Reading Program – Spellbound: The Enchantment of Reading! Watch the video below to catch a glimpse of all the “spellbinding” decorations our staff have put together.

The Summer Reading Kickoff will take place June 14th. Stop by to pick up a Summer Reading chart, a Read & Bead necklace chain, and a goodie bag, and keep an eye on the Event Calendar for upcoming activities and programs!


Local artists Liz Smolinski and Susan Taddei will have their works on display in the Library’s Community Room and display cabinets, respectively, throughout the months of June and July.

Elizabeth Smolinski grew up in New Haven and moved to Woodbridge in 2006. Oil paints and charcoal are Elizabeth’s favorite art media, and she typically works from her own photographs in the style of realism. Making time to create art is a priority for her, and she loves meeting new people via art. She enjoys elevating things that are easy to overlook, like flags hanging above, or the shadows cast by pond lilies, into compelling images of unconventional beauty.

Susan Taddei moved to Bethany in 1974. She is a self-taught quilter who sews on a vintage Universal De Luxe machine that is over 75 years old. Brightly colored batiks are her favorite quilting fabric. She is very grateful for the generosity of the members of the quilt bee she was part of when her children were young, who taught her many sewing techniques and provided endless inspiration, and loves to give quilts to her friends and family to honor milestones of their lives. Besides quilting, Susan’s other hobbies include singing in the Our Lady of the Assumption Church choir and doing jigsaw puzzles.

There will be an artist reception on Saturday, July 12, from 1:00 to 3:00 PM in the Community Room.

Join us for the start of the Library’s Summer Reading Program on June 14th!

Sign up for our Read & Bead program, which will run throughout the summer during Library hours, and you’ll get a necklace chain, a Read & Bead chart, and while supplies last, a “Bag of Enchantment” with fun goodies inside!

Check off a box on the Read & Bead chart for every 20 minutes of reading you do over the summer. You’ll earn one bead or charm to add to your necklace for each checked-off box – as well as a leaf with your name on it to add to our Summer Reading Trees. For every 200 minutes of reading (10 checked-off boxes), you’ll also be able to add a fantasy creature to the Trees!

Your reading time for Read & Bead can also be counted towards the Governor’s Summer Reading Challenge, if you’re taking part in that program as well.

By the end of the summer, we hope that all of our participants will have amazing personalized necklaces to show off, and our Summer Reading Trees will be bursting with life!

Remember, the application deadline for the 6th Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit is June 20th! We’re welcoming local poets and writers to take part alongside visual artists this year – so feel free to apply regardless of whether your art is meant to be viewed or read.

The Call for Artists, application forms, instructions, and exhibit information are available on the Arts@Clark! page of the Library’s website under “2025 Public Art Exhibit“. Applications should be sent to artsatclark@gmail.com.

Clark Memorial Library will be participating in the annual Great Give event on Wednesday, May 7 and Thursday, May 8. This 36 hour event raises money and awareness for many causes important to our region, with valuable matching funds and prizes from The Community Foundation, the Valley Community Foundation and other generous sponsors. Please visit the Bethany Library Association’s donation page on the Great Give website during the event to support Clark Memorial Library with a donation – any amount helps!

Clark Memorial Library has a long history as a treasured community resource. We are focusing this Great Give campaign on expanding our materials and services, both digital and print, for readers of all ages. Please help us grow!

This year, the board of the Bethany Library Association is matching the first $500 donated to the Great Give, and the New Alliance Foundation is matching up to $10,000 in donations to literacy charities like ours. We’re so grateful for the help of organizations like these, and for your help in earning the library those matching funds.

“Never Alone: Keeping Company with Painters and Poets”

Gigi Lawrence, along with Margot Trout
April – May 

Keeping company with those who give and have given form to imagination across genres, media, and time, Gigi Lawrence presents her work – along with work by Margot Trout, her friend and mentor – and poetry that has sustained and inspired them both.

“When trying to envision a library show that would be running concurrently with National Poetry Month, the idea of including Margot Trout came to mind, and the possibility looked rich and rewarding. Margot has inspired me as a painter, a teacher, a mentor, and a friend for the past 30 years. I have shared more poetry with Margot than with anyone else in my life, as is also true of paintings, and of art in multiple mediums.

It is noticeable that the appearance of our work is very different. What is important about artwork, is not its style, but what comes through it. In that respect, they are probably not so very different at all. This show is an opportunity to see Margot’s work along with mine, and to think about the art and poetry that has spoken to each, and sometimes both, of us.”

There will be an artist reception on Saturday, May 17, from 2:00 – 4:00 PM in the Library’s Community Room, but unfortunately, Margot will not be able to attend.

Bethany Rid Litter Day is coming up!

Rid Litter Day is a community event to clean up trash on the sides of the roads of Bethany. This year Rid Litter Day will take place on Saturday, April 19th, from 9 AM – 12 PM. Join the effort using the event’s Sign-Up Form; supplies (including safety vest, pick up tools, gloves and trash bags) will be available at the Library Friday, April 18 5:30-7:00 PM, or by appointment. Contact BethanyRidLitterDay@gmail.com for more information.

There’s another 3D Printer Orientation coming up! Learn about the Library’s 3D printing resources and how to use the printer and its associated software, and see the printer in action. Once you’ve attended an orientation, you’ll be able to use the 3D printer for yourself during our trial period, during which patrons will not be charged for prints. Space is limited, so please call the Library at (203) 393-2103 or speak to a librarian in person to sign up.