Category Archives: Events

Updates about one-time events.

“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.

Families with young children are invited to join Mrs. Perkins, a Montessori Guide from Willow Tree Montessori, for a storytime session! During this read-aloud, Willow Tree hopes to share the love of language with rich vocabulary through stories, songs and poems. Drop in starting at 10:30 AM, Saturday April 5.

Call for Artists!

Arts@Clark! and Clark Memorial Library are proud to present

The Sixth Annual Public Art Exhibit
Spellbound: Art, Poetry, and the Enchantment of Reading

Join us on Sunday, August 3rd for our Sixth Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit.
This year, we are welcoming poets and writers to share their artistic voices!
Display your art, read poetry, demonstrate your process, and engage receptive audiences from the Bethany community. This “plein air” experience is in the tradition of our famous Connecticut art colonies. Enjoy sharing your passion and having conversations that engage and support local arts. 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.

Artists, poets, and authors working in all formats and mediums are encouraged to apply. Application Instructions and Exhibit Information can be found on the Arts@Clark! page of the Library website, under the Community tab on the homepage.

Application Deadline: June 20.

Paint and Sip with the Friends of the Library!
Thursday, April 10, 7:00 – 9:00 PM

Mark your calendars for another Paint and Sip event organized by the Friends of the Library. Local artist Zach Chernak will guide participants through painting a special spring picture; there will be wine, cheese and crackers as refreshments.

Space is limited and registration is required.
Cost is $20.00 per person and may be paid at the door.
Call the Library at (203) 393-2103 to register!

Clark Memorial Library is excited to begin offering 3D printing services in 2025!

There will be a trial period in March while we establish policies and procedures – during which we invite patrons to take part in one of our 3D Printer Orientations, where they’ll learn about the Library’s 3D printing resources and how to use the printer and its associated software! Patrons will not be charged for prints made during the trial period.

Space is limited, so please call the Library at (203) 393-2103 or speak to a librarian in person to sign up. There will be an orientation on Tuesday, March 11, 4:30-5:00 PM, and on Saturday, March 15, 11:00-11:30 PM. It’s only necessary to attend one of the orientations; we will be covering the same information in both.

Coming up next month, it’s March Mad Science!
These three STEM activities are for ages 8 and up.
Space is limited, and sign ups are required. Join us for one activity or all three –
call the Library at (203) 393-2103 or ask a librarian to sign up.

Popsicle Stick Catapult – March 1st, 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Learn how energy can be stored and transferred in this exciting STEM activity! Build a catapult out of popsicle sticks and see how far you can make a pom-pom fly.

Alkaseltzer Lava Lamp – March 5th, 4:00 – 5:00 PM
Experience a chemical reaction right before your eyes! Build a lava lamp using only a few safe household materials and ingredients and see chemistry in action.

Magnetic Slime – March 15th, 1:00 – 2:00 PM
Explore the invisible world of magnetism! Come to the Library and mix up your own batch of magnetic slime!

The art teachers of Amity High School and Bethany and Orange Middle Schools are collaborating with Arts@Clark! to display student artwork at the Library during February and March. Stop in any time during Library hours to see the work of a new generation of artists in the glass art displays and the Community Room!

A reception will take place on Thursday, March 6, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM in the Community Room.