Remember!
The application deadline for the 5th Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit is June 15th!
If you are interested in taking part in this special event, you can find the Call for Artists, application forms, instructions, and exhibit information on the Arts@Clark! page of the Library’s website. Applications should be sent to artsatclark@gmail.com.
An artist reception will be held on June 15th, 2:00 – 3:30 PM for the local artists featured in our Arts@Clark! exhibits for June and July, Karen & Tom Cebula.
Karen, a Northford artist, studied art at Southern CT State University and taught art at public schools for 25 years. Now retired, she focuses on painting with acrylics and is inspired by nature: “I am moved by the light, the color and the texture – the feel of the place.” Her work will be on display in the Community Room.
Wooden carvings made by Karen’s husband Tom will be on display in the downstairs display cabinets. Early in life, Tom chanced upon a display of decoys carved by famous carvers. He was inspired to try his hand at carving and enrolled in workshops with Connecticut woodcarvers Joe Cieslowski and Frank Swiatek to develop skills from knowledgeable instructors. Tom has focused on letter carving signs, as well as three dimensional animals such as fish, birds, and decoys.
Be sure to stop by during Library hours and take a look at both of their work!
Our book displays have metamorphosed to match the theme of our Summer Reading Kickoff for June! Read about bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators, learn more about insects and their relationships with humans and the environment, or enjoy some fiction featuring not-so-creepy-crawlies in starring and supporting roles. Stop in and pick up a book today… and don’t forget to attend our special What’s the Buzz? Presentation on June 8th, 2:00–3:30 PM!
What’s the Buzz?
Saturday, June 8 | 2:00 – 3:30 PM
This summer, our Pollinator Pathway garden will be part of a research project tracking the movement of bees through pollinator gardens in the Bethany area. We are pleased to have Breahna Gillespie, Ph.D. (a research scientist from the Department of Entomology at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station) here to talk with us about her work and the research she will be conducting this summer.
Come learn about how bees are tracked as pollinators, and the work that is being done to encourage pathways throughout Connecticut. Plant some seeds and take home a pot to add a pollinator-friendly plant to your garden. All ages – all fun!
Welcome to the Tween Nutmeg Book Club at Clark Memorial Library!
If you are between the ages of 9-13, we hope you can join us as we explore the 2025 Nutmeg Book Award Intermediate Nominees. Meetings will be held June 13, June 27, and July 11 from 5:45-6:30 PM in the Library. Read 1-2 books (or more!) from the list of ten and then share what you loved, hated, or need more of!
We will choose books at our first meeting, and discuss them at the second and third. Come to one or all three dates! For more information, contact the Library at (203) 393-2103.
This week in our Makerspace, create a special spinner card
that cycles through compliments for Mom to give her on Mother’s Day!
The craft is available during Library hours, while supplies last.
Clark Memorial Library will be participating in the annual Great Give event on Wednesday, May 1 and Thursday, May 2. 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!
This Great Give campaign, we are focusing on expanding arts programs that support local artists and reach Bethany citizens of all ages. From Arts@Clark! exhibitions that are available year round in the Community Room, to our Annual Public Art Exhibit, our goal is to showcase the vibrant arts community in Bethany. We hope to continue to offer these free events, as well as bring in local artists for additional workshops and presentations to build on our ongoing commitment to library programming that reaches adults, children and families.
Don’t forget! There will be a reception for the Library’s featured artist for April and May, Daniel Eugene Kaminski, on Saturday, April 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. Stop by to meet the artist – and if you haven’t already, check out his work in the Community Room!
Arts@Clark! and Clark Memorial Library invite you to join us on
Sunday, July 28th for our 5th Annual Outdoor Art Exhibit!
New this year: we are inviting artists who are interested, to explore a “plein air” experience in the tradition of our famous Connecticut art colonies. Display your art, and if you wish, demonstrate your process and engage receptive audiences from the Bethany community. 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 working in all mediums are encouraged to apply, regardless of whether or not you paint “en plein air”. Artists can exhibit drawing, painting, mixed media, pottery, sculpture, fiber arts, quilting, installations and more!
Artist set-up is from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The exhibit is open to the public from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM. De-installation begins promptly at 5:00 PM.
Application forms, instructions, and exhibit information are available on the Arts@Clark! page of the Library website, which is linked under the Community tab.
For more information, call the Library at (203) 393-2103.
Applications should be sent to artsatclark@gmail.com;
application deadline is Saturday, June 15.
Our book displays this month feature poetry collections, books written in verse, and the biographies of famous poets, and out on the front lawn our storywalk showcases a selection of spring-themed poems and rhymes!
It’s all in honor of National Poetry Month, a celebration of poetry’s important place in our lives and poets’ integral role in our culture. Launched by a nonprofit charitable organization called the Academy of American Poets in April 1996, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world! This year’s National Poetry Month poster features a line of poetry by a former Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets, Lucille Clifton, and artwork by children’s author and illustrator Jack Wong.
