Tag Archives: library

Georgia O’Keeffe visits Birdseye this month

Posted on March 24, 2024 | Comments Off

Cow skull. This is the largest one in my collection.

Another famous artist visited our little library this month. After the exciting visit by Van Gogh last month, Georgia O’Keeffe thought she would pay a visit. She brought several of the skulls from her collection for the kids to use as subject matter. These included a cow skull, a fully-antlered buck skull, two antlerless deer skulls, and a bird skeleton. One of the boys in the class pointed out that the small deer skull was probably a baby as it had no teeth.

Two brothers working on their paintings. One is using the large deer skull with antlers and the other is referring to some O’Keeffe paintings in an art book.

I thought the “ick” factor of the skulls would attract the kids…and it did although probably not as much as I anticipated. In this rural area, hunting is part of the culture and most kids are used to seeing or being around hunting and fishing. In fact, my sons both were required to take a hunting and boating class in seventh grade which makes sense.

Sketching your subject before you paint helps you to become familiar with all the shapes and shadows.

I showed the kids how the skulls were alike and different. They were allowed to examine them closely (they’d been cleaned with bleach water several times and were pretty old. I also suggested that they practice by making drawings of the subjects before they try to paint.

Discussing brush sizes. Each girl has selected the skull she wants to work from.

We discussed why O’Keeffe was attracted to bones and skulls when she lived in the desert southwest. And we also viewed some of her paintings, how she changed them or added to them. The kids were allowed to choose the the bones they wanted to work from and create their own compositions. One child chose to create an archeological dig of bones and fossils in layers.

The next class will be in early May and is open to ages 8 through 14. Contact the library to sign up for this free class. We will be making nature prints from real materials that we’ve gathered.

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Posted in art, books, painting instruction, Uncategorized

Tagged Birdseye, bones, georgia o'keeffe, indiana, library, New Mexico, o'keeffe, skulls, southwest

Van Gogh visits Birdseye library

Posted on February 25, 2024 | Comments Off

Showing the kids some images of real Van Gogh paintings.

Vincent Van Gogh visited the Birdseye public library this week…sort of.

As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, this little library plays an important role in the community. As small as it is, it hosts a number of activities for patrons of all ages. All of these activities are FREE to attend although attendance may be limited due to space.

I brought in a few of my own sunflower paintings for some inspiration.

Recently I volunteered to teach a few children’s painting classes. The first of these classes was to learn about Vincent Van Gogh and to paint a picture in his style.

Although the class was limited, we had a nice turnout this week. I explained to the children a little about Vincent Van Gogh, who he was and why he was important. Also, they learned about his painting methods. Each table had several vases of sunflowers (faux) which the children were encouraged to choose what and how they wanted to paint. The library supplied all the art materials and even had little aprons just their size. They learned about mixing colors and how Van Gogh was known for his bold brush strokes.

Each child composed his or her own painting.

All in all, it was a great group. I hope the kids had as much fun as I did.

Next month, we’re going to learn about Georgia O’Keeffe and her skull paintings. I’m bringing in a collection of real skulls (cow and deer) for them to use as subject matter.

Many thanks to AmyJo, the library branch manager, and other patrons who make programs like this possible. Public libraries are the best bargain around. What’s happening at your library?

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Posted in art, impressionism, painting instruction

Tagged acrylic, Birdseye, children's programs, contemporary impressionist, indiana, kit miracle, library, painting instruction, sunflowers, van gogh, vincent van gogh

The Cultural Center, Part II – The New Library Is Open!

Posted on February 7, 2021 | 2 comments

The new Thyen Clark Cultural Center is now open to the public.

Finally, the new library is open at the cultural center. And, boy, is it magnificent! Better than anything I could have imagined, even when I was working on the project!

As mentioned earlier, this is a joint project combining the Jasper-Dubois County Public Library and the Jasper Arts Department (excluding the performing arts center). I posted photos of the new galleries earlier. I’ll add the classrooms, studio spaces, and the black box theater later.

Cultural Center front, east wing holding the library.

Today’s photos feature the new library. After nearly two decades of planning, votes, fundraising, the doors were open this week. I took my granddaughter for our first visit afterschool on Tuesday. Then went back alone for a more thorough visit on Wednesday.

This is the beautiful atrium which separates the arts side from the library. It has a full catering kitchen for special events and will seat 150 at table. I think this will become very popular for families looking to get out of the house in the winter with the kids…once we’re allowed to get together again.

In speaking with the library director, she said that people have commented on all the new books. She’s replied, they haven’t added any new volumes; the old library was just that over-crowded. Now it has plenty of room for technology, including a maker space, a teen zone, genealogy room, lots of quiet nooks and meeting spaces. Plus…the books books books. It even has an outdoor balcony for those who like some fresh air while they read.

For now, the entire Cultural Center is open six days a week with plans to expand to seven days a week sometime later. If you come for a visit, don’t forget to save time to visit the nearby Schaeffer Barn, the old school house, the mill and the train depot, all set along the scenic Patoka River in downtown Jasper. Admission is free.

The view from the library entrance from the atrium.

Lots of current magazines and newspapers to read and plenty of reading nooks for everybody.

One of many work spaces for patrons. Most of the tables have charger stations, too.

The beautiful wall art by Romy and Clare Designs. The upper level holds offices, the genealogy room and an outdoor patio/balcony.

One of the little reading nooks in the children’s section. Each has its own reading light, too. Of course, I had to try one out.

A view of the children’s section with child-sized furniture, shelves and family-friendly activities.

Another inviting lounge area. The teen zone and maker space are in the glass-walled areas behind. Recorded books and digital media and music to the rear right.

The money shot from the balcony area. Such a beautiful design for all.

Parking at the rear of the center shows our neighbors, Schaeffer barn and a one-room school house which was recently moved in. To the rear of that is the famous Riverwalk. And across the street from the center is the Jasper Train Depot and the old restored mill. This will be a great place to bring kids for field trips.

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Posted in art, books, Uncategorized

Tagged cultural center, jasper community arts, Jasper Dubois County Public Library, Jasper Indiana, library, Thyen-Clark Cultural Center

Ground breaking for the new Thyen-Clark Cultural Center

Posted on April 3, 2019 | Comments Off

Thyen-Clark Cultural Center sign made with colored chalk and sand.

Today was a big day for everyone in this area. The official ground breaking for the Thyen-Clark Cultural Center was held this afternoon. This is a true partnership between Jasper Community Arts and Jasper Public Library. The new building will be on the site of a former factory in the downtown area near the River Walk and many other area attractions.

Thyen-Clark Cultural Center proposal. Will the doors really be ready to open by the end of 2020? Yeah!

We are so excited. Both entities have been seeking expansion for many years, decades in fact. I first met with the Thyens in 2006 but it wasn’t until about four years ago that the library and Jasper Arts decided that a partnership would be a great idea.

Some of the first shovels with our generous donors Jim and Pat Thyen at far right.

The road has not been easy but everyone in the community seemed to get on board with fund raising, the referendum drive for the library, approval from all the political entities, funding from state organizations. The turning point was the challenge grant pledged by Jim and Pat Thyen. From major companies to individuals, everyone in the area has pitched in to make this project happen.

So this afternoon, we all gathered at the site for the ground breaking ceremony. Speeches were given, children were invited to participate, all of the board members and staff and other supporters were given an opportunity to wield one of the golden shovels.

The bulldozers take over tomorrow.

I can hardly wait! Viva la arts!

Links to more information.

Library Director Christine Golden and Arts Director Kyle Rupert welcomed the crowd of about 100 people.

Mayor Dean Vonderheide gave a brief speech. He has been involved in the Cultural Center project before he became mayor. We’re so fortunate to have his continued leadership.

Visual Arts Coordinator Emily Colucci Peake decorated the honorary shovels, an artist’s brush and a stack of books. How clever!

Gumby put in an appearance. Here he is posing with Corina and Juan Mack. Corina is special Project Coordinator for the arts.

Peppa Pig also dropped in to entertain the kids and adults.

Jasper Community Arts

Jasper Public Library

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Posted in Uncategorized

Tagged art, art center, indiana, library

Books. Books. Books. My secret addiction.

Posted on August 31, 2012 | Comments Off

When I was a little girl and first discovered the wonders of reading, I vowed to read every book in the world. I can’t tell you how old I was before I actually realized the impossibility of that. But I’ve been trying ever since.

I’m not quite sure why I took to reading so well. I wasn’t a particularly precocious child. I didn’t have parents who pushed me to read at age two or anything. But I did have a parent who read to me every night and we always had books around the house. We had a three-volume anthology of children’s poetry and stories, plus my father had a complete set of the classics. You know the kind. The ones all bound in red. Probably one of those order by mail deals.

When I finally learned to read for myself, I was off like a horse at the Kentucky Derby. I haven’t stopped since. I had my first library card at the town library. These were the days where you were issued one of those cardboard cards with the numbered medal plates that made an impression on the card in the pocket of the book. After I’d gone through most of the children’s section, I was given the privilege of moving up to the adult section of the library. This was a really big deal to me at the time. It was a very old library of many floors with steam radiators, high ceilings, dusty corners. Later in high school, my friends and I would haunt the study rooms in the overheated atmosphere. Yes, even before computers.

In college, I actually had a campus job of working in the library which was wonderful. I could cruise the stacks, get first dibs on the newest selections, and really learned how to research. By the time I graduated, I had been promoted to the reference desk. Sigh. What fun!

Just a small part of my secret addiction.

In the past many years, my interest in reading has only grown. It continues to amaze me to realize that we can still share the thoughts of people who have been dead for centuries. It’s as if they are still here, whispering to us.

My interest in acquiring books has never waned either. I still want to possess them. I love the tactile feel, the smell of the ink, the heft and weight of the books. I love to see them on my shelves. Most of the online booksellers know me very well, as well as many of the used booksellers. I love to cruise bookstores, both old and new, and often ensure that I locate the nearest bookstores when I’m traveling. Going into a bookstore for me is akin to an alcoholic visiting a bar. It’s a very dangerous (and expensive) proposition.

But what about electronic books, you say. They take up much less space and are easily transportable. Humph! My son bought me a Kindle for Mother’s Day. Well…..it has its uses. I can download nearly any book in the public domain and can often read a book for much less than the price of the “real” book. But it just isn’t the same.

And then to further feed my addiction, several years ago I was invited by Amazon to participate in their Vine program. I’ll write about that another time but the jist of the program is that they send me free books every month and all I have to do is review them. I don’t even have to give them a good review! How cool is that?!

So, thank you Ms. Kuhlman way back in first grade for teaching me to read. You probably didn’t realize the path you set me on then. And I’m really sorry I stole that Little Golden Book from the classroom library. It was my first and only foray into crime. I think I’ve more than made up for it since in the many many books that I’ve donated to libraries wherever I’ve lived.