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.

A reception will be held on April 20th, 2:00 – 4:00 PM for the local artist featured in our Arts@Clark! exhibit for May and April, Daniel Eugene Kaminski.

Eugene is a visual artist, poet, musician, performer and photographer from Bethany. He concerns himself with creative expression as a catalyst for the evolution of human consciousness, exploring how the individual relates to our shared humanity and how this shared humanity exists in relationship to the greater reality of an infinite cosmos.

His work will be on display in the Community Room from Saturday, April 6 to Friday, June 7 as part of an exhibition titled Bethany Photographs that will feature images of the town of Bethany going back to 2016.

On Saturday, April 6, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM, the Friends of the Library will be on site to collect new and gently used books for the Library’s ongoing book sale in the entryway. Children’s and adult books in good condition will be considered.

More than 150 libraries in Connecticut will be taking part in the Connecticut Library Association‘s Passport to CT Libraries program this year to celebrate National Library Week! We invite you to take this opportunity to visit as many public libraries as possible; each has its own architecture, vibe, and collection to explore and browse!
The Passport program is open to both children and adults, and we hope that it will encourage residents to explore the amazing diversity of our public libraries.

To participate in the program, visit Clark Memorial Library between April 1 & April 30 to pick up your Passport and have it stamped. Then, take your Passport along as you visit other participating libraries. At each location, be sure to get your Passport stamped; if you visit at least five (5) participating libraries and return your Passport to a participating library by Friday, May 10, you will be entered into a state-wide drawing for a chance to win a $200 Visa gift card for adults (18 and up) and a $200 Visa gift card for children (under 18). This is a state-wide contest where four winners will be selected: one adult and one child from a random drawing of all returned Passports with at least five separate library stamps, and the adult and child who visited the most libraries/received the most stamps total. Get exploring and good luck!

The Library’s March book displays feature stories about collecting clues and navigating mazes, as well as books of wordplay, whodunnits, and hidden object puzzles.
Stop by during your next visit and find something to stump you!

Starting on March 7th, the Library will offer Game Nights on
Thursdays from 3:30 – 6:30 PM in the Teens and Tweens area upstairs.

Learn to play various board games, card games, and other tabletop games,
as well as role-playing games! The activities will be geared towards older children
and young adults, but kids of all ages are welcome to stop in if they are interested.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Beginning Thursday, March 7th, the Library’s hours for Thursdays and Fridays will be changing. We will now be open from 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM on Thursdays, and 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM on Fridays. Be sure to keep these new hours in mind when planning your visits!